My friend who emailed Arnold Schouten about the COMMON EIDER got this
interesting reply.
"Thanks for your email regarding the eider sighting. I waited to respond
hoping to see the bird but unfortunately in two outings I have been
unsuccessful. From local reports, it sounds like it is a Pacific Eider. I
keep them in my collection but have not had any escapees. We are very
diligent when it comes to maintaining security. The PE especially is very
rare in captivity and an escapee probably would not fare well in the wild. I
have heard of reports of sightings as far South as Northern Vancouver
[Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC. BobN] island so a rare visit here might not
be impossible. I will continue to attempt to see the bird and verify the
subspecies. In the event that it is an Atlantic or Northern it will likely
be an escapee. I do not keep either of these other subspecies".
Bob Norton
norton36 at olypen.com
Joyce (near Port Angeles), WA