Steller's eider

Common Name: Steller's eider

Scientific Name: Polysticta stelleri

OSPAR Regions where it occurs: I

OSPAR Regions where under threat and/or in decline: I

Description: Steller’s Eider breeds along the Arctic coast of Alaska and the eastern half of Siberia. Most birds winter in the northern Pacific, but the main European areas used by non-breeders in summer and wintering birds are the coastal areas of northern Norway, Estonia and Lithuania (Anon, 1999). Studies of Steller’s eider in 2000/01 along the Lithuanian coast in the Baltic (outside the OSPAR Maritime Area) indicated that the ducks congregated in a narrow stretch of coast, feeding on crustaceans, bivalves and gastropods. In spring they gather at herring spawning grounds and fed mainly on fish eggs (Žydelis, 2002).

What is the latest status?

The status assessment describes the latest changes in distribution, abundance and range of the feature, as well as any changes in the threats and pressures impacting the feature. The status assessments are updated regularly and inform OSPAR’s consideration of the effectiveness of the measures and actions that have been adopted and implemented by Contracting Parties.