Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

Photo by jvhigbee

Identification

Adult males ranges from 45-52 cm (18-21 inches) and from 888 to 1400 grams (1.9 to 3.1 lbs), while females range from 40-50 cm (16-20 inches) and from 500 to 1182 grams (1.1 to 2.6 lbs). The species is aptly named for it's golden-yellow eye. Adult males have a dark head with a greenish gloss and a circular white patch below the eye, a dark back and a white neck and belly. Adult females have a brown head and a mostly grey body.

Distribution

Widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere breeding 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. In North America breeds in central and southern Alaska and over much of Canada and the north-central USA.

Widespread in winter 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 North America winters from southern Canada and throughout the USA and northern Mexico.

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

The common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. Their closest relative is the similar Barrow's goldeneye.

Habitat

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

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. 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).

Bird Song

<flashmp3>Bucephala clangula (song).mp3</flashmp3>
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External Links

Search for photos of Common Goldeneye in the gallery

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages