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Birds by name

Goldeneye

Conservation status: Amber

A medium sized diving duck. Males look black and white with a greenish black head and a circular white patch in front of the yellow eye. Females are smaller, and are mottled grey with a chocolate brown head. In flight, birds show a large area of white on the inner wing. First nested in Scotland in 1970, and since then birds have been attracted to nest in specially designed boxes put up on trees close to water. In winter, birds from Northern Europe visit the UK.

Overview

Latin name

Bucephala clangula

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

In summer, mainly in Highlands of Scotland. Best looked for in winter on lakes, large rivers and sheltered coasts, particularly in north and west Britain.

When to see them

Summer in the Highlands of Scotland for breeding birds; wintering birds arrive from August to December and return north in February and March.

What they eat

Mussels, insect larvae, small fish and plants

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-200 pairs20,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
Nearly UK-wide (winter); Scottish Highlands (summer)

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Goldeneye (female)

Goldeneye - female
  • Colouring: Female
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, grey, cream/buff
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey, orange
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: orange
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

Goldeneye (male)

Goldeneye - male
  • Colouring: Male
  • Size: between pigeon-mallard
  • Feather colours: black, white, green
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: orange
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, dives underwater

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