About the Common Goldeneye
The common goldeneye or simply goldeneye is a medium-sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. Its closest relative is the similar Barrow's goldeneye. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek boukephalos, a reference to the bulbous head shape of the bufflehead. The species name is derived from the Latin clangere.
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ID tip
Adult males range from 45–51 cm (18–20 in) and weigh approximately 1,000 g (2.2 lb), while females range from 40–50 cm (16–20 in) and weigh approximately 800 g (1.8 lb). The common goldeneye has a wingspan of 77–83 cm (30.5–32.5 in). The species is named for its golden-yellow eyes. 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. Their legs and feet are orange-yellow. The subspecies B. c. americana has a longer and thicker bill than the nominate B. c.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Common Goldeneye sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
BuffleheadBucephala albeolaThe bufflehead ranges from 32–40 cm (13–16 in) long and weighs 270–550 g (9.5–19.4 oz), with the drakes larger than the females.
Barrow's GoldeneyeBucephala islandicaAdults are similar in appearance to the common goldeneye.
Side by side: Bufflehead vs Common Goldeneye · Barrow's Goldeneye vs Common Goldeneye
Learn the Common Goldeneye for real
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