 right|thumb|common eiders (somateria mollissima) in the breeding season on texel, the netherlands. the common eider (pronounced ) (somateria mollissima) is a large (50â71&nbsp;cm body length) sea-duck that is distributed over the northern coasts of europe, north america and eastern siberia. it breeds in arctic and some northern temperate regions, but winters somewhat farther south in temperate zones, when it can form large flocks on coastal waters. it can fly at speeds up to 113&nbsp;km/h (70&nbsp;mph).http://www.thetravelalmanac.com/lists/birds-speed.htm the eider's nest is built close to the sea and is lined with the celebrated eiderdown, plucked from the female's breast. this soft and warm lining has long been harvested for filling pillows and quilts, but in more recent years has been largely replaced by down from domestic farm-geese and synthetic alternatives. although eiderdown pillows or quilts are now a rarity, eiderdown harvesting continues and is sustainable, as it can be done after the ducklings leave the nest with no harm to the birds. ==description== thumb|a common eider skull the common eider is both the largest of the four eider species and the largest duck found in europe and in north america (except for the muscovy duck which only reaches north america in a wild state in southernmost texas). it measures {{convert|50|to|71|c
Birds_of_Canada Birds_of_Europe Birds_of_Greenland Birds_of_Iceland Birds_of_Turkey Ducks Holarctic_fauna IUCN_Red_List_least_concern_species Merginae Somateria