Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage

Steller's Eider


Wing Character Male Female
Adult Immature Immature Adult
TertialsSharply curved, outer webs bright blue, inner webs all or part whiteVery slightly curved, tips often frayed and faded, inner web varies from dark brown to barely discernable blueSharply curved, outerweb bright blue, inner web gray, shading to white at tips
Greater tertial covertsEntirely white on adults, but with some black tipping on sub- adultsVery dark brown with bluntly pointed tips that are usually frayed and slightly fadedVery dark brown with bluntly rounded not frayed tips
Greater secondary covertsEntirely white on adults, but some black tipping on sub- adultsBrown with a white tip that is 1/4 inch wide or less and may be reduced to a traceBrown with a 1/2 inch wide white tip
SecondariesOuter webs bright blue; trailing edge a 1/2 inch wide white bandOuter webs dark brown usually with a faint bluish cast; trailing edge a 1/4 inch wide white bandOuter webs bright blue; trailing edge a 1/2 inch wide white band


JPG-Adult male Steller's eider JPG-Adult female Steller's eider JPG-Immature Steller's eider

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