In early summer, the coastlines of Iceland come alive with the soft peeps of newly hatched eider ducklings. These tiny, down-covered creatures have just emerged from their eggs, and already they’re learning the ways of the sea. But they’re not alone, far from it.
Eider mothers, known as kollur in Icelandic, are among the most nurturing and communal birds in the wild. As soon as the ducklings hatch, the mothers form what can only be described as “mom clubs.” Several females come together with their broods, creating a sort of shared nursery. In this flock, all the ducklings are protected, not just by their own mothers, but by all the adult females in the group.
What’s truly heartwarming is that eider mothers don’t discriminate. If a lone duckling has wandered off or lost its mother, any kolla that finds it will gladly take it under her wing. It doesn’t matter whose chick it is. In the world of eiders, every baby matters.
These mother groups work together to protect the ducklings from the many dangers that lurk nearby gulls, skuas, and other predators that wait for a moment of vulnerability. But there’s strength in numbers, and the eider mom squad is not easily intimidated.
Watching the ducklings grow is pure joy. At first, they stick close to shore and stay near their protectors. But as they gain confidence, you can see them diving for food, each time daring to go a little deeper. When they surface, they pop back up like corks, bobbing on the waves with surprising grace.
Nature has many wonders, but few are as touching as the quiet cooperation of these devoted mothers and their adventurous little ducklings. It’s a living lesson in kindness, resilience, and the beauty of shared responsibility.