Birds diurnal

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

Often called 'The Whistler' for the musical sound of its wings, the Common Goldeneye is a hardy winter visitor with striking yellow eyes and a bold black-and-white profile.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 40-51 cm (16-20 in); Wingspan: 72-81 cm (28-32 in); Weight: 600-1,200 g (1.3-2.6 lbs)

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Colors

Males have a dark iridescent green head appearing black, a white circular patch behind the bill, and a bright white body with a black back. Females have a chocolate-brown head, a gray body, and a white collar.

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Key Features

Bright yellow iris giving the bird its name
Distinctive bulbous, rounded head shape
Large white circular spot between the bill and eye on males
Sharp, whistling sound produced by wings during flight

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7-10 AM and 3-5 PM

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Season November-April

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Diet Primarily aquatic invertebrates including crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects. They also eat small fish and occasionally seeds or tubers of aquatic plants.

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Habitat Lakes, rivers, and coastal bays. In summer, they prefer boreal forests near lakes with tree cavities; in winter, they move to ice-free freshwater or coastal salt water.

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Behavior

Common Goldeneyes are energetic diving ducks known for their distinctive "whistling" wings, a sound so loud it can often be heard before the bird is seen. They are highly active foragers, frequently diving underwater for several seconds at a time to hunt for aquatic prey. While they are relatively wary of humans, they are a common sight on open water during the colder months when other lakes have frozen over.

These ducks are unique among waterfowl because they are cavity nesters, often competing with Wood Ducks for hollowed-out trees or specialized nesting boxes. During the winter, they are social birds, frequently found in small to medium-sized flocks. Their courtship displays are particularly entertaining to watch, involving the males throwing their heads back toward their tails while kicking up water with their feet.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Common Goldeneyes, position your camera near the water's edge where the shoreline is relatively low. If you have a dock or a pier, mounting the camera 12-18 inches above the deck looking out toward the water can provide an excellent low-angle perspective that makes the birds appear more majestic. Because they are diving ducks, they often resurface in the same general area; look for calm inlets or eddies in rivers where they congregate to conserve energy.

If you live near a wooded shoreline, the absolute best way to get close-up shots is by installing a nesting box. Common Goldeneyes readily use Wood Duck boxes. Mount your camera on a nearby tree or a secondary post facing the entrance hole from about 5-8 feet away. Use a camera with a fast trigger speed or a pre-trigger buffer, as the movement of the ducks entering and exiting the cavity is extremely rapid. This is most effective during the spring nesting season from late March through June.

For winter captures on open water, lighting is your biggest challenge. The high contrast between the male's white body and dark head can lead to "blown out" photos where the white feathers lose all detail. Set your camera's exposure compensation to -0.5 or -1.0 if possible. Since these birds are most active during the day, ensure your camera is facing north or south to avoid the direct glare of the low winter sun reflecting off the water or ice.

Lastly, utilize the video function rather than just still photos. The Common Goldeneye earns its nickname 'The Whistler' because of the high-pitched sound its wings make. Capturing the audio of a Goldeneye taking off or flying past is just as rewarding as getting a clear photo. Use high-sensitivity microphone settings if your camera allows it, and try to place the camera in a spot sheltered from the wind to minimize audio interference.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Common Goldeneye.

Barrow's Goldeneye

Males have a crescent-shaped white facial patch and a steeper forehead than the Common Goldeneye.

Bufflehead

Much smaller in size with a large white patch on the back of the head rather than a spot near the bill.

Hooded Merganser

Features a thin, serrated bill and a large, fan-like crest that can be raised or lowered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Goldeneyes are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. You will find them most active during the mid-morning and mid-afternoon when they spend the majority of their time diving for food to maintain their body heat during cold winter months.

If you have property bordering a lake or slow-moving river, you can attract them by installing large nesting boxes (similar to Wood Duck boxes) on trees near the water. They do not visit bird feeders, as they eat aquatic life, but keeping a portion of your shoreline natural and undisturbed will encourage them to forage nearby.

Their diet consists mostly of underwater prey. They dive to the bottom to find crayfish, crabs, shrimp, snails, and various aquatic insect larvae. During the summer, they may also eat small fish and bits of aquatic vegetation.

They are common in suburban areas that feature large ponds, lakes, or rivers that remain ice-free during the winter. Because they are cavity nesters, they are more likely to stay in suburban areas during the spring if there are mature trees or nesting boxes available near the water.

Look at the white patch on the male's face: the Common Goldeneye has a circular spot, while the Barrow's has a crescent-shaped patch. Additionally, Common Goldeneyes have more white on their sides, whereas Barrow's Goldeneyes show more black with a row of white spots.

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