Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tracking Data for Steller's Eiders (Polysticta stelleri)
Active
By Alaska Science Center
January 12, 2026
Available here are tracking data of the Steller’s Eider, a species of seaduck that breeds throughout the circumpolar Arctic and spends the winter in coastal areas of western and southwestern Alaska. The Alaska-breeding population is listed as threatened under provisions of the Endangered Species Act. These tracking data were collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The entire data package is archived and publicly distributed by the USGS Alaska Science Center.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH
Tracking Maps
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)
Steller's Eider Tracking Maps
These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.
- Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
- Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
- Waterfowl Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
- Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.
Data Packages
Argos Satellite Telemetry Data
These data packages contain the data collected from satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.
NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.
- Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 4MB zip]
- Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 5MB zip]
- README
- View ScienceBase Data Release
Suggested Citation
Martin, P.D., Obritschkewitsch, T., Douglas, D.C., 2022, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracking data for Steller's Eiders (Polysticta stelleri) (ver 1.0, November 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ECETBG.
USFWS Steller's Eider page
Below are other science products associated with Steller's Eider.
Waterfowl Research
Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
Below are multimedia items associated with Steller's Eider.
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in backgroundSteller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in backgroundSteller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Available here are tracking data of the Steller’s Eider, a species of seaduck that breeds throughout the circumpolar Arctic and spends the winter in coastal areas of western and southwestern Alaska. The Alaska-breeding population is listed as threatened under provisions of the Endangered Species Act. These tracking data were collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The entire data package is archived and publicly distributed by the USGS Alaska Science Center.
Return to Ecosystems >> Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists collect data from wildlife tracking devices to: determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on various behaviors, and identify geographic areas repeatedly used by wildlife that may indicate sites of importance to species and populations. Tracking data from other wildlife species can be found at: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9VYSWEH
Tracking Maps
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
(Credit: David Douglas, USGS)
Steller's Eider Tracking Maps
These webpages contain five different types of browse maps and other visualizations of the tracking data.
- Maps (Animated, Static, Interactive, and Google Earth)
- Summary graphs of the data: where, when, duration
- Waterfowl Tagged Animal Movement Explorer interactive visualization tool
- Note: These maps serve only as a depiction of the geographic content of the specific data provided and may be inappropriate for inferences and interpretation outside the intent of the original study. For example, maps may portray only certain ages, sexes, limited numbers of animals or variable tracking duration and start times that may limit inference for other questions. Users are advised to read the publication(s) and data set metadata associated with these maps to understand appropriate use and data limitations.
Data Packages
Argos Satellite Telemetry Data
These data packages contain the data collected from satellite transmitters attached to free-ranging animals. The packages include both raw and processed location and sensor data. The raw data includes data as originally retrieved from the Argos System. The processed data have been filtered for location plausibility, and sensor data have been decoded into standard measurement units. For most users, the processed data will be preferred.
NOTE: Processed data contains both plausible (DAF_Filter=0) and implausible (DAF_Filter=1) locations as indicated by the column “Location_DAF_filter”. Before using these data, we recommend excluding locations flagged as implausible or apply an alternative filtering method of your choice.
- Processed Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 4MB zip]
- Raw Data [Metadata] [Data Download, 5MB zip]
- README
- View ScienceBase Data Release
Suggested Citation
Martin, P.D., Obritschkewitsch, T., Douglas, D.C., 2022, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tracking data for Steller's Eiders (Polysticta stelleri) (ver 1.0, November 2022): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ECETBG.
USFWS Steller's Eider page
Below are other science products associated with Steller's Eider.
Waterfowl Research
Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the...
Below are multimedia items associated with Steller's Eider.
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in backgroundSteller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background
Steller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in backgroundSteller's Eiders in Izembek Lagoon. Isanotski Volcano in background