Nests are usually found on islands, and the upbringing of offspring is communally shared among females. One oddity that may be an unique characteristic is the use of their own feathers to construct nests. Nests are found on the ground in a sheltered area that strongly blends with the female eider's brownish colours for camouflage. Eggs are usually five in number, and are laid in June until late July. Diet is shellfish, for which the Common Eider is capable of diving, due to a heavy bone structure.
Breeding range includes Alaska, all of Canada, and the northeastern portion of the United States.
Wintering range consists of two relatively tight clusters, one on western Canada's shoreline, continuing into Alaska's coastline, and another on Nova Scotia's and Labrador's shoreline.