ETYM Of Scand. origin, cf. Icel aedr; akin to Swed. eider, Dan. ederfugl.
Duck of the northern hemisphere much valued for the fine soft down of the females; SYN. eider duck.
Large marine duck, Somateria mollissima, highly valued for its soft down, which is used in quilts and cushions for warmth. The adult male has a black cap and belly and a green nape. The rest of the plumage is white with pink breast and throat while the female is a mottled brown. The bill is large and flattened. It is found on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.