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Goldeneye ID Iceland June (1 Viewer)

ori76

Well-known member
I encounter this goldeneye in lake Myvatn, in NE Iceland. This is the best spot for Barrows goldeneye and I took it like that.

But now back home I saw that common goldeneye is rare, but can also be at lake Myvatn. So the question is, it is a common or a Barrows goldeneye?

Thanks in advance
 

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The absence of yellow on the bill points to Barrow's, do you have a field guide?
Collins Bird Guide gives Barrow's as having more yellow on the female's bill in the breeding season! That would make this Common Goldeneye, then. It also says Barrow's has a shorter bill; this one looks fairly long-billed.
i think common goldeneye doesn't breed on island at all?
Unless it has colonised recently? Not heard of anything to say so, except ori's statement above 'but can also be at lake Myvatn'.
 
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I use Collins birdguide, but the bill is neither a standard barrows nor common. And the shape of the head, well neither can I reach a conclusion.

I saw some sightings of common on ebird, but I dont know if they ever bred there...
 
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