duck outside of Boise, ID, Sept. 5 (1 Viewer)

[greenwood]

Hey Folks,

Could you help me identify these ducks, on the Snake River outside of Boise, ID, last Saturday.

Thanks!

 

[Andy Adcock]

Golden-eye


Andy

 

[greenwood]

Thanks, Andy, I was thinking that, too, but all the photos I could find showed a little white patch on their cheeks--is that not a defining characteristic?

 

[Corvus cornix]

Only the adult males show the white patch on the face. Those in the pictures are female-type.

Cheers

 

[Microtus]

Looking at the extent of white on the wings, I think that the bird with its wings spread in picture #2 is a male. Both appear to be Common Goldeneyes.