Unknown bird sighted on the Alaskan Peninsula.
Observation: I have not seen this bird before. It was not in our book (Beach birds) a Coastal Observation And Seabird Survey Team (COASST) field guide for Alaska.
LEO says: The bird images taken by S. Anderson resembles the King Eider (Somateria spectabilis). "This hardy, ornately plumaged sea duck breeds in remote areas of both the New and the Old World Arctic, spending only a few weeks (males) to several months (successfully breeding females) on land. Hatch year birds spend their first year at sea. King Eiders dive to forage on marine invertebrates while at sea. They also forage on freshwater invertebrates in tundra ponds during the breeding season. Also similar to other eiders, female King Eiders are faithful to their breeding areas." Source: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds of North America
BirdLife International Consult: Steffen Oppel, Senior Conservation Scientist writes, "yes, this bird is without any doubt an adult male King Eider." Source: RSPB Centre for Conservation Science
Wildlife Ecology & Conservation Consult: Abby N. Powell, Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit writes, "Yes, you are correct - that is a King Eider." Source: University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF | IFAS)
Observations From Members 
