Spectacle Eiders, Stellers
Eiders and Emperor Goose Duck Hunting
closed
Stellers Eider hunting
is closed
Stellers Eiders, Spectacled Eiders and Emperor
Goose hunting is
closed to all sport hunting in Alaska due to the continued reported decline by USFW
biologist, We have heard rumors that if the emperor goose populations
continue to climb than there could possibly be a limited open season in the
future, according to our information they will probably never open up Spectacled
and Steller's Eiders to sport hunting due to there lack of biological
data to back it up. So you will have to be happy with King and Pacific Eiders
for now.
Photo: Robert Suydam,
North Slope Borough
Steller's Eider
(Polysticta stelleri)
A year-round inhabitant of the
Arctic, the Steller's Eider
s a small duck frequently seen close to shore, or in
sheltered inlets. Male
Steller's Eiders in breeding plumage are beautifully
colored, and distinct from other eiders and ducks. Like
other waterfowl in this region, the cause of their
decline in recent decades is little understood. Alaskan
population is listed as a Federally Threatened species.
Identification
Mixing black, white, blue, orange and green, male
Steller's Eiders in breeding plumage are not bland
birds, and are easily identifiable. Males have a white
head contrasting against a black tail, back and neck
collar. The breast and sides are orangey. At close
range, green spots before the eye and on the back of the
head may be visible. Both sexes of this species are
distinguished by their small size, "flat" head, long
tail and distinctively shaped bill. Females and males in
non-breeding plumage are brown, with a light eye ring.
Distribution and Population Trends
This species breeds along Arctic coasts of Alaska and
Russia. The U.S. population breeds along the coast of
Alaska, and is most plentiful on the Arctic Coastal
Plain near Barrow, Alaska. The bulk of the population
winters in the Bering Sea. The U.S. population is found
mostly south of the Alaskan Peninsula, and out along the
Aleutian Island chain. Birds breeding in western arctic
Russia winter in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Baltic
Sea and make up approximately 25% of total world
population. This species has been difficult to survey
but several populations have shown declines of greater
than 20-90% since the 1960's. However, the bulk of the
population is currently thought to be stable. |
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Visit us at the 2006 Easton
Maryland waterfowl festival Nov 10,11,12 in the sportsmen Pavilion as we will
have a booth there, look forward to seeing many of our past guest's there.
Visit us at DU National
convention in Anchorage AK May 23-27
Spectacled Eider hunting is closed
(Somateria
fischeri)
An unmistakable seaduck with
pale feather
"goggles"
around each eye, the Spectacled Eider lives in
the arctic region throughout the year. Breeding along
the coast of Alaska and Russia, the population of these
eiders declined precipitously during the latter half of
the 20th century. Lead poisoning seems to be one of the
primary causes of this decline.
Identification
Male Spectacled Eider's in breeding plumage are  magnificent with their
black-and-white body, green head, orange bill and
prominent white patches around each eye. Although
females are much less garish, their subtle tan and brown
barred plumage is also attractive.
Spectacled Eiders are only found within a restricted
arctic range. A little smaller than the Common and King
eiders, the Spectacled Eider is easily distinguished
from these in any plumage by its "goggles".
Distribution and Population Trends
Found along the northern coast of Russia and Alaska and
down the coast of western Alaska (above the Aleutian
Chain), the Spectacled Eider breeds near the coast, and
spends the non-breeding season at sea. Nesting sites are
typically located immediately adjacent to water bodies.
The population of Spectacled Eider's breeding in western
Alaskan has declined dramatically. From 1957 to 1992,
the population declined 96%, prompting the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to list this species as Threatened
throughout its range under the Endangered Species Act.
Less is known about the status of breeding populations
in northern Alaska and along the Russian coast, though
those populations are currently thought to be stable.
Recent studies, which tracked birds by satellite, have
shown that hundreds of thousands of Spectacled Eiders
spend the non-breeding season in the Bering Sea south of
St. Lawrence Island. |
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Emperor Goose Hunting is closed
Emperor Goose
(Chen canagica)
The Emperor
Goose is a small stocky goose found in Alaska and
nearby parts of Russia. Breeding and wintering on
coastal beachesof the Alaska
Peninsula near Port moller and Cold Bay area,
the population of this blue-gray goose
has declined drastically
in the 1970's and 80's.
A
small blue-gray goose with a round body and white
head.
Although some dark forms of Snow Goose
and Ross's Goose can appear similar at first glance,
the white tail set off from this
species' dark tail
coverts and body is unique.
causes of this
Photo by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
decline are not well understood.
Distribution and
Population Trends
Restricted to the coasts of Alaska and nearby
Russia. The Emperor Goose breeds primarily in
south western Alaska, and
parts of Russia flanking the Bering Strait. In
winter, the majority of the population moves to the
Aleutian Islands, where they seek out ice-free
beaches though rarely individuals have been found
along the Pacific Coast south to California.
The Emperor Goose population declined from an
estimated 139,000 in 1964 to 42,000 in 1986. Aerial
counts have estimated the 2005
counts at around 80,000. Currently
the population seems to be on the rise in Alaska.
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