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Difference between revisions of "Common Goldeneye" - BirdForum Opus

 
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;Bucephala clangula
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[[Image:Common_Goldeneye.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|jvhigbee|jvhigbee}}<br />Tacoma, [[Washington]], December 2003]]
[[Image:Common_Goldeneye.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by jvhigbee]]
+
;[[:Category:Bucephala|Bucephala]] clangula
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
 +
[[Image:Goldfinger Touch.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Female<br />Photo by {{user|Digiscoper321|Digiscoper321}}<br />West [[Sweden]], April 2010]]
 
L. 40-52 cm (18-21 in)<br/>
 
L. 40-52 cm (18-21 in)<br/>
 
Weight 500 to 1400 grams (1.9 to 3.1 lbs)  
 
Weight 500 to 1400 grams (1.9 to 3.1 lbs)  
*Golden-yellow eye
+
*Golden-yellow eye<br />
====Adult Male====
+
'''Adult Male'''
 
*Dark head with green gloss
 
*Dark head with green gloss
 
*Circular white patch below eye
 
*Circular white patch below eye
Line 11: Line 12:
 
*White neck and belly
 
*White neck and belly
 
*Large white patches in wings
 
*Large white patches in wings
====Adult Female====
+
'''Adult Female'''
 
*Brown head
 
*Brown head
 
*Mostly gray body
 
*Mostly gray body
===Similar Species===
+
====Similar Species====
 
Very similar to [[Barrow's Goldeneye]].  Note white scalloping on back rather than solid black (Barrow's).  Circular facial patch on Common, oblong patch on Barrow's.  Male Barrow's Goldeneye has purple gloss on head, but this is hard to distinguish in the field.  Hybrids are possible.
 
Very similar to [[Barrow's Goldeneye]].  Note white scalloping on back rather than solid black (Barrow's).  Circular facial patch on Common, oblong patch on Barrow's.  Male Barrow's Goldeneye has purple gloss on head, but this is hard to distinguish in the field.  Hybrids are possible.
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
===Breeding===
+
[[Image:IMG 1314ao.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Photo by {{user|IanF|IanF}}<br />[[Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park]], Billingham, [[UK]], December 2009]]
Widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
+
====Breeding====
====Europe====
+
Widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.<br />
Breeds over most of Scandinavia and northern Russia with small isolated populations in Scotland and Northern Europe from north Germany east to the Baltic States. Breeds sporadically  
+
'''Europe'''<br />
further south as far as Turkey, recently recorded in France, Austria and Hungary. Also breeds across northern Asia from the Urals to northern China, Sakhalin and Kamchatka.
+
Breeds over most of [[Scandinavia]] and northern [[Russia]] with small isolated populations in [[Scotland]] and Northern Europe from north [[Germany]] east to the [[Baltic States]]. Breeds sporadically  
====North America====
+
further south as far as [[Turkey]], recently recorded in [[France]], [[Austria]] and [[Hungary]]. Also breeds across northern [[Asia]] from the Urals to northern [[China]], Sakhalin and Kamchatka.<br />
Breeds in central and southern Alaska and over much of Canada and the north-central USA.
+
'''North America'''<br />
 
+
Breeds in central and southern [[Alaska]] and over much of [[Canada]] and the north-central [[USA]].
===Non-breeding===
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====Non-breeding====
====Europe====
+
'''Europe'''<br />
Widespread from south-west Iceland, the British Isles and northern France east to coastal Norway and the southern Baltic, on the lakes of Central Europe and in the north-east Mediterranean and the Black and Caspian Seas and across Central Asia. In
+
Widespread from south-west [[Iceland]], the [[British Isles]] and northern France east to coastal [[Norway]] and the southern Baltic, on the lakes of Central Europe and in the north-east Mediterranean and the Black and Caspian Seas and across Central Asia. <br />
====North America====
+
'''North America'''<br />
 
Winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA and northern Mexico.  
 
Winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA and northern Mexico.  
 
+
[[Image:IMG 63472.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Ducklings<br />Photo by {{user|Macswede|Macswede}}<br />Agesta, [[Sweden]], June 2012]]
Vagrants recorded south to the Azores and Iberia, the Mediterranean islands and North Africa, Israel and Jordan, northern India, Hong Kong and the West Indies.  
+
Vagrants recorded south to the [[Azores]] and [[Iberia]], the Mediterranean islands and North [[Africa]], [[Israel]] and [[Jordan]], northern [[India]], [[Hong Kong]] and the [[West Indies]].  
 
 
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Medium sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. Their closest relative is the similar [[Barrow's Goldeneye]].
+
Medium sized sea duck of the genus ''[[:Category:Bucephala|Bucephala]]'', the goldeneyes. Their closest relative is the similar [[Barrow's Goldeneye]].
 
+
====Subspecies====
 +
There are 2 subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
 +
*''B. c. clangula '':
 +
:*Northern [[Eurasia]]; winters to Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and southern [[China]]
 +
*''B. c. americana'':
 +
:*Breeds northern [[North America]]; winters to [[California]] and [[Florida]]
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 +
[[Image:GE-OG-09-02-16.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Displaying males<br />Photo by {{user|Vernon+Barker|Vernon Barker}}<br />Lincolshire, February 2016]]
 
Breeds in woodland close to lakes and rivers, in winter and on passage on large freshwaters, estuaries and sheltered bays. Frequently seen on reservoirs and gravel-pits.
 
Breeds in woodland close to lakes and rivers, in winter and on passage on large freshwaters, estuaries and sheltered bays. Frequently seen on reservoirs and gravel-pits.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
 +
They may fall prey to various hawks, owls and eagles, while females and their broods have been preyed upon by bears (''Ursus'' spp.), various weasels (''Mustela'' spp.), mink (''Mustela vison''), raccoons (''Procyon lotor'') and even northern flickers (''Colaptes auratus'') and red squirrels (''Tamiasciurus husonicus'').
 +
====Diet====
 
These diving birds forage underwater. Year-round, about 32% of their prey is crustaceans, 28% is aquatic insects and 10% is molluscs. Insects are the predominant prey while nesting and crustaceans are the predominant prey during migration and winter. Locally, fish eggs and aquatic plants can be important foods.
 
These diving birds forage underwater. Year-round, about 32% of their prey is crustaceans, 28% is aquatic insects and 10% is molluscs. Insects are the predominant prey while nesting and crustaceans are the predominant prey during migration and winter. Locally, fish eggs and aquatic plants can be important foods.
==Discussion==
+
====Breeding====
They themselves may fall prey to various hawks, owls and eagles, while females and their broods have been preyed upon by bears (Ursus spp.), various weasels (Mustela spp.), mink (Mustela vison), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and even northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus husonicus).
+
The male's display consists of throwing his head back onto his back with the bill pointing skywards. They nest in tree holes or nest boxes.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
{{ Audio|Bucephala clangula (song).mp3 }}
  
 
+
==References==
==Voice==
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#{{Ref-Clements6thAug19}}#Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728
<flashmp3>Bucephala clangula (song).mp3</flashmp3><br />
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{{ref}}
''[[Media:Bucephala clangula (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]''
 
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Bucephala+clangula}}
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{{GSearch|"Bucephala clangula" {{!}} "Common Goldeneye"}}
*[http://www.orientalbirdimages.org/birdimages.php?p=1&action=birdspecies&Bird_ID=198&Bird_Family_ID=65 View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages]
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<br />
[[Category:Birds]]
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{{VSearch|"Bucephala clangula" {{!}} "Common Goldeneye"}}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
 +
<br />
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Bucephala]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]]

Latest revision as of 22:16, 27 March 2023

Photo by jvhigbee
Tacoma, Washington, December 2003
Bucephala clangula

Identification

Female
Photo by Digiscoper321
West Sweden, April 2010

L. 40-52 cm (18-21 in)
Weight 500 to 1400 grams (1.9 to 3.1 lbs)

  • Golden-yellow eye

Adult Male

  • Dark head with green gloss
  • Circular white patch below eye
  • Dark back
  • White neck and belly
  • Large white patches in wings

Adult Female

  • Brown head
  • Mostly gray body

Similar Species

Very similar to Barrow's Goldeneye. Note white scalloping on back rather than solid black (Barrow's). Circular facial patch on Common, oblong patch on Barrow's. Male Barrow's Goldeneye has purple gloss on head, but this is hard to distinguish in the field. Hybrids are possible.

Distribution

Photo by IanF
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Billingham, UK, December 2009

Breeding

Widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Europe
Breeds over most of Scandinavia and northern Russia with small isolated populations in Scotland and Northern Europe from north Germany east to the Baltic States. Breeds sporadically further south as far as Turkey, recently recorded in France, Austria and Hungary. Also breeds across northern Asia from the Urals to northern China, Sakhalin and Kamchatka.
North America
Breeds in central and southern Alaska and over much of Canada and the north-central USA.

Non-breeding

Europe
Widespread from south-west Iceland, the British Isles and northern France east to coastal Norway and the southern Baltic, on the lakes of Central Europe and in the north-east Mediterranean and the Black and Caspian Seas and across Central Asia.
North America
Winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA and northern Mexico.

Ducklings
Photo by Macswede
Agesta, Sweden, June 2012

Vagrants recorded south to the Azores and Iberia, the Mediterranean islands and North Africa, Israel and Jordan, northern India, Hong Kong and the West Indies.

Taxonomy

Medium sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. Their closest relative is the similar Barrow's Goldeneye.

Subspecies

There are 2 subspecies[1]:

  • B. c. clangula :
  • Northern Eurasia; winters to Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and southern China
  • B. c. americana:

Habitat

Displaying males
Photo by Vernon Barker
Lincolshire, February 2016

Breeds in woodland close to lakes and rivers, in winter and on passage on large freshwaters, estuaries and sheltered bays. Frequently seen on reservoirs and gravel-pits.

Behaviour

They may fall prey to various hawks, owls and eagles, while females and their broods have been preyed upon by bears (Ursus spp.), various weasels (Mustela spp.), mink (Mustela vison), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and even northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus husonicus).

Diet

These diving birds forage underwater. Year-round, about 32% of their prey is crustaceans, 28% is aquatic insects and 10% is molluscs. Insects are the predominant prey while nesting and crustaceans are the predominant prey during migration and winter. Locally, fish eggs and aquatic plants can be important foods.

Breeding

The male's display consists of throwing his head back onto his back with the bill pointing skywards. They nest in tree holes or nest boxes.

Vocalisation

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728

Recommended Citation

External Links


GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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