Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), male
Common Goldeneye, Male

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

The common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula, is a medium-sized sea duck known for its striking golden-yellow eyes. Males exhibit a dark head with a greenish sheen and a distinctive white patch below the eye, contrasting with their dark back and white underparts. Females are characterized by a brown head and a predominantly grey body. Both sexes have orange-yellow legs and feet, with adult males typically measuring 45–51 cm in length and weighing around 1,000 g, while females are slightly smaller, ranging from 40–50 cm and weighing approximately 800 g. The species boasts a wingspan of 77–83 cm.

Identification Tips

To identify the common goldeneye, look for the male's glossy greenish-black head and the white spot near the bill. Females can be recognized by their chocolate-brown head and grey body. In both sexes, the vibrant golden eyes are a distinguishing feature. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males being larger and more vividly colored than females.

Habitat

The common goldeneye favors the taiga's lakes and rivers, thriving in the boreal forests that stretch across Canada, the northern United States, parts of Scotland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States, and northern Russia.

Distribution

These ducks are migratory, breeding in northern regions and wintering along protected coastal waters or open inland waters at more temperate latitudes.

Behaviour

The common goldeneye is known for its aggressive and territorial nature, particularly during the breeding season when they perform elaborate courtship displays. They are cavity nesters, often returning to the same natural tree cavities year after year, though they will also adapt to nest boxes.

Song & Calls

The species name, clangula, is derived from the Latin for "to resound," hinting at the notable calls of this species.

Breeding

Goldeneyes lay their eggs in tree cavities, with average egg dimensions of 42.6–44.0 mm by 58.1–60.6 mm and a weight of 61.2–66.6 g. The incubation period lasts 28 to 32 days, with the female undertaking all incubation duties. After hatching, the young remain in the nest for about 24–36 hours and are capable of flight at 55–65 days of age. Brood parasitism is common within the species, and mixed broods are not unusual.

Similar Species

The common goldeneye's closest relative is the Barrow's goldeneye, which can be differentiated by subtle variations in head shape and plumage details.

Diet and Feeding

As diving ducks, common goldeneyes forage underwater, feeding on crustaceans, aquatic insects, molluscs, fish eggs, and occasionally aquatic plants. Their diet varies seasonally, with insects being more prevalent during nesting and crustaceans during migration and winter.

Conservation status

The common goldeneye is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. While they face threats from habitat degradation and pollution, they have shown some resilience, such as deriving short-term benefits from lake acidification in North America. Conservation efforts under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) apply to this species.

Common Goldeneye Sounds


Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Common Goldeneye Fun Facts

Did you know?
Common Goldeneyes nest in large tree cavities and will repeatedly return to the same nesting spot.

Common Goldeneyes on Birda

Sightings

More Ducks, Geese, Swans

A photo of a Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) , male

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
Sacha0508
Simply fantastic
I love this app, it puts so much fun into recording the birds I’ve seen and heard while I’m out and about. The interface is user-friendly and suitable for all ages. It’s great to collect badges and to review my “lists”.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
SW H
Wonderful App
Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.