ILLUSTRATION
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PHOTOS
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Common Goldeneye is a medium-sized sea-duck native to the lakes and rivers of Canada, the northern United States, Scandinavia and Russia. During winter months, they will migrate to protected coastal waters or open inland water. Nests are built within cavities in trees, which may be created by Woodpeckers or broken limbs. Scotland has fostered a slow-growing population of the Common Goldeneye by building nestboxes throughout the region. They dive for their food, and typically dine on crustaceans, insects and mollusks. The Common Goldeneye may fall prey to hawks, owls or eagles, but its current conservation rating is Least Concern.
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SUMMARY
Overview
Common Goldeneye: Medium diving duck, white-striped black upperparts, white underparts. Head is iridescent green-black with white circular patch between yellow eyes and dark gray bill. Wings are dark with large white patches conspicuous in flight. Legs and feet are yellow. Swift, direct flight.
Range and Habitat
Common Goldeneye: Breeds in Alaska and across Canada to Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces, and south to mountains of Montana and Great Lakes. Spends winters in much of the U.S., wherever water is open. Breeds on wooded lakes and ponds; winters mainly on coastal bays and estuaries.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to Call
Common Goldeneye
Voice Text
"zee-zeee", "zee-zee", "jeee-ep"
INTERESTING FACTS
- The Common Goldeneye is the only duck in North America known to derive benefits from lake acidification. Many acid-tolerant insects provide plentiful prey, and most fish cannot live in these environments, thus reducing competition.
- Females typically return to the areas where they hatched (philopatry), and once they breed, often return to the same nesting site year after year.
- Their rapid wingbeats produce a loud whistling sound in flight, easily identified even when the birds cannot be seen; hunters call this species the "Whistler."
- A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.
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