Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Common Goldeneye

Adult female breeding Common Goldeneye
Adult male breeding Common Goldeneye

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

L 18.5" ws 26" wt 1.9 lb (850 g) Male is larger than female

Stocky; rather large-headed like Barrow's. Files in small bunches with deep wingbeats.

Voice: Female gives low, grating arr arr . . . like Aythya ducks, often in flight. Male in display gives rasping, buzzy whistle jip JEEEV and low, hollow rattle. Wings produce low, metallic whistle in flight; loudest in adult male, female nearly silent.

6 comments:

Michele said...

Very interesting..I didn't know that.

Anonymous said...

Stunning photos of the Goldeneyes! They are amazing birds!

Birdman said...

Hello,
michele-Thank you, well now you you know.
mon@rch-Thank you, I was surprised when I first saw it too.
Goodbye,
Birdman

David Sibley said...

Hi Birdman,
Nice blog! I really like the stories you share and the photos, especially the running Gambel's Quail. And I'm impressed that you had the patience to attract chickadees and nuthatches to feed out of your hand. I think the woodpecker you photographed on March 21st could be a Hairy - it looks too long-billed for a Downy and I don't see any dark bars on the outer tail feathers.

Keep up the great work birding, blogging, and learning!

omalois said...

Birdman you make me proud to be your oma. Your interest and knowledge about nature / birds is a gift ...and remember all the books you've read on plants and fish. Keep pursuing your love of nature.

Birdman said...

Hello,
david sibley-Wow, I'm your biggest fan. Thank you for commenting on my blog. I have your sibley guide to birds. You are an amazing writer and illistrator. I think your right, its problably a Hairy Woodpecker. Thank you so much for commenting. I read all about you, your dad was also an amazing birder. Can you tell me some tips on birding?

omalois-Can you believe David Sibley commented on my blog?!