Freckled Duck vs Steller's Eider

Freckled Duck

Stictonetta naevosa

Large903 gWetland

The freckled duck has a distinctive appearance. It is characterised, in adults, by dark grey to black plumage covered with small white flecks, which gives the duck the 'freckled' look. The feet, legs and bill of both sexes is of a slate grey colour. Hatchlings and juveniles are distinguished by a uniform light grey plumage, which they lose around their 32nd week when they undergo a full body moult to assume the adult plumage. The adult freckled duck is sexually dimorphic. On average, males are the larger sex, with average weight between 700 - 1200 g.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andrew Allen · CC BY 4.0

Steller's Eider

Polysticta stelleri

Large807 gMarine

Steller's eider is the smallest of the four eiders, with both females and males weighing 860 g (30 oz) on average. They have a compact body with a relatively large head with a flat crown and an angled nape, and a long, thick bill; the tail is relatively longer than other eiders. The males assume their breeding plumage from early winter to midsummer with a black cap, chin, collar, eye-ring, and rump, with a white head and shoulders, light green patches behind the head and in front of the eye, and the cinnamon breast and shoulders marked with a prominent black spot.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Venke Ivarrud · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Freckled Duck and Steller's Eider.