Eiderente Vienne

The common eider is a sea duck and one of the defining waterfowl species of the German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. More than 95 percent of the German breeding population is concentrated in the Wadden Sea, especially on islands such as Amrum, Pellworm, Borkum, Memmert, Spiekeroog and Mellum. The Wadden Sea is equally important as a moulting and wintering ground, with tens of thousands of birds gathering seasonally, many of them originating from breeding sites in the Baltic.

In terms of migration, the common eider is not a true long-distance migrant. Southern breeding populations largely remain on the coasts, while only the northernmost birds from Scandinavia and Svalbard move further south. These movements turn the German coastal waters into a key staging and wintering area during the colder months. Eiders are diving ducks that feed mainly on mussels and other marine invertebrates.

For hunting in Germany, the common eider plays only a very minor role. The main concentrations sit within Wadden Sea national park areas where the species is protected year-round. Across Europe, populations have declined markedly since the 1990s, and the IUCN lists the species as Near Threatened. Important drivers include bycatch in fishing nets, food shortages and broader environmental pressures. In Germany the common eider was named Seabird of the Year in 2019. Please always refer to the currently valid state hunting law for the applicable hunting and closed seasons.