Bucephala
clangula
(Common
Goldeneye)
Physical
Description:
16-20" (41-51 cm). Male
has glossy, dark green head with round white patch near base of bill; black
back and tail; neck, breast, and sides white; white areas on wings and back
visible in flight. Females' plumage
is gray with darker gray
wings and tail; brown head; bill dark with small pale yellow patch near tip.
Similar Species- Barrow's Goldeneye, female mergansers, male Bufflehead
Song:
Courting
call of male is a double nasal quaa-quaak. Wings whistle in flight.
Distribution:
Breeds
in Alaska, across parts of Canada, and south to northern Washington, central
Montana, and across northern U.S. to Maine. Winters from southeastern Alaska
to southern California, from Great Lakes to Gulf Coast, and from Newfoundland
to Florida.
Habitat:
Found on ponds, lakes, rivers, and coastal
bays, wintering primarily on bays and estuaries, less commonly on rivers and
lakes. In Idaho, normally associated with water bodies near forests; prefers
deep, open waters of large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Diet:
In inland areas during summer
and fall, feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. Along coastal
wintering grounds, feeds largely on crustaceans, mollusks, small fishes, and
some plant material.
Ecology:
Builds nest in tree cavity near
water. Dives under water to obtain food.
size varies from 5-19
eggs (usually 8-12). Female incubates eggs and tends young;
incubation lasts 28-32 days. Nestlings are precocial and downy, and fly at
51-60 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABNJB18010 |
| Status: | Game species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S3 |
| National Rank: | N5B,N5N |
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.