Locally, Eider Ducks are known as Cuddy Ducks, named after St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. When they are not feeding at sea, they roost on rocks and seaweed. The males (below) are a spectacular black snd white colour with highlights of pale green. They have a lovely call in the mating season - "ah-ooh" not unlike something Frankie Howard used to say.

From a distance you could mistake female Eider Ducks for female Mallards. However, when you get a close look, you can see the long wedge shaped beak that characterises an Eider Duck.

Sometimes you may see an oddly coloured Eider like the one below. This is a juvenile male, but adult males also look a bit dark and blotchy in the autumn, between moults.