
The Common Eider Drake (Somateria mollissima) stretching on the water. The first encounter with these amazing sea ducks (as well as other waterfowl species) at Slimbridge Wetland Centre.
Interestingly, Eiders birds are well renowned for their very soft down that the female duck plugs out of her body to keep eggs warm in the nest. It has been collected for many centuries as a duvet/pillows filling, and is still being collected today after ducklings left the nest. Apparently, to feel in one duvet with eiders own you need to collect it from about 60 nests before cleaning manually. Not surprisingly they are considered as a luxury.
The practical value of the duck is also reflected in its scientific name. The genus name βSomateriaβ is derived from two Ancient Greek words: βsomaβ and βerionβ meaning βbodyβ and βwoolβ, respectively, whereas specific epithet βmollissimaβ translates for the Latin as βvery softβ. Slimbridge WWT near Dursley, Gloucestershire; England; UK.
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