Bucephala islandica
Length: 16-18 Weight: 1-3 lbs
Identification:
Male is white below and lightly white barred along wings, with a large iridescent head and white teardrop behind bill (compared to oval in Common Goldeneye). Female is mostly gray with a dark brown head, and bill mostly yellow (compared to mostly black in Common).
Distribution:
Breed in Alaska and northwestern Canada, with smaller distributions in Newfoundland and Iceland. Winter primarily in the mountains of western North America.
Cool Facts:
Goldeneyes are cavity nesters, and frequently lay their eggs in the nests of other females.
Barrow’s Goldeneye was named after Sir John Barrow, a promoter of Arctic exploration who was also the inspiration for the Barrow Straight in Canada and Point Barrow in Alaska.
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References:
Bird on the Move 