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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Distribution

Region

Holarctic (Northern Eurasia and North America)

Typical Environment

Breeds across boreal forests of Scandinavia, Russia, Alaska, and Canada, favoring clear freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow rivers. Winters widely on large rivers, ice-free lakes, estuaries, and sheltered coastal waters in temperate zones. Often selects habitats with abundant aquatic invertebrates and submerged structure for foraging. Uses mature forest landscapes for nesting due to availability of tree cavities created by woodpeckers or natural decay.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Continental

Characteristics

Size42–52 cm

Wing Span65–80 cm

Male Weight1 kg

Female Weight0.75 kg

Life Expectancy15 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Common goldeneyes are tree-cavity nesters that readily use nest boxes placed near lakes and rivers. Males have a distinctive high-pitched wing whistle in flight, helping birders identify them without seeing the bird. They often return to the same breeding areas annually, and ducklings leap from high nest cavities within a day of hatching.

Gallery

Bucephala clangula Pair

Female goldeneye with chicks

Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden

Behaviour

Temperament

wary and alert

Flight Pattern

fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats and audible wing whistle

Social Behavior

Outside the breeding season they form small to medium flocks, often mixed with other diving ducks. They nest in tree cavities near water and will accept nest boxes; broods are led to water soon after hatching. Pair bonds form on wintering grounds and are seasonal, with males departing early in the breeding season.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

Vocalizations are generally soft; males give thin, squeaky notes during courtship. Wingbeats produce a distinctive whistling sound in flight, and females utter harsher quacks and clucks, especially when tending ducklings.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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