common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 31 inches

• Medium-sized diving duck

• Yellow eye

• Gently sloped forehead

• Black bill is small, but larger than in Barrow's goldeneye

• White patches on the secondaries and secondary coverts visible in              flight

• Immature female is similar to the adult female, immature male is like         adult female but has a white breast,a darker head and a trace of the           male's white patch before the eye

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer

• Glossy greenish head

• White circular patch below eye on face

• White lower neck, breast, belly and flanks

• Dark back

• White scapulars with black striping

Adult male basic:

• Similar to adult female

Adult female:

• Reddish-brown head

• Dark-based bill with light patch at tip

• Gray body, paler on the breast and darker on the back

• White patch on wing split by two dark bands

Similar species: Inconclusive

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location:N/A
Nest Type: Cavity clutch
Size: 5-15
Length of Incubation: 28-32 days
Days to Fledge: 56-60
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Primarily aquatic invertebrates; lesser quantities of green plant
matter, seeds, and fish

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February Acc

 

 

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