ExploreBirds

Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

Barrow's Goldeneye is a beautiful duck with shiny green and white feathers. They love to dive underwater to find tasty fish and insects to eat.

Habitat: Coastal areas

Appearance

The Barrow's Goldeneye has a compact body and a large, rounded head. Males showcase an iridescent purplish-green head with a unique triangular white patch before the eye, contrasting sharply with their black and white body. Females have a brown head, grey body, and often a bright yellow bill tip, both sexes have striking golden-yellow eyes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusBucephala
Barrow's Goldeneye
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgefilter_feeder trait badge
Barrow's Goldeneye

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

20

Interesting facts

Baby goldeneyes can dive for food just one day after hatching, they're super quick learners!

Barrow's Goldeneyes don't build their own nests, instead, they often use old abandoned woodpecker holes!

These ducks are nicknamed "whistlers" because their wingbeats make a unique whistling sound!

Unlike most ducks, their ducklings jump out of tree holes from dizzying heights to reach the ground safely!

Special abilities

Ability

Deep Diver

Barrow's Goldeneye can plunge to great depths underwater because of their dense bones and powerful legs that propel them.

Ability

Underwater Vision

Barrow's Goldeneye has specially adapted eyes that help them see clearly to hunt fish and invertebrates in murky water.

Ability

Tree-Nest Builder

Barrow's Goldeneye can nest in old tree cavities, often far from water, which helps protect their eggs from ground predators.

Measurements & details

Length
42-50 cm
Wingspan
67-80 cm
Weight
0.75-1.2 kg
Lifespan
8-15 years
Top Speed
70 km/h
Clutch Size
6-12
Incubation
28-32 days
Migration Distance
1500 km

Diet & Feeding

These ducks dive deep to munch on tasty aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish.

Age differences: Young ducklings focus more on aquatic insects before adding fish to their diet.

Primary Foods

  • aquatic insects
  • crayfish
  • freshwater shrimp
  • small fish
  • mussel larvae
  • snail larvae

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

eats

American Mink

Mustela vison

Mink can prey on nests and ducklings.

eaten by

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Eagles may prey on adult goldeneyes.

hunts

Three-spined Stickleback

Gasterosteus aculeatus

Goldeneyes feed on small fish species.

hunts

Common Midge

Chironomus plumosus

Larvae are a key food source.

Traits

Also known as

Goldeneye Duck

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Barrow's Goldeneye?

The easiest way to identify Barrow's Goldeneye is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Barrow's Goldeneye?

42-50 cm

What is Barrow's Goldeneye's wingspan?

67-80 cm

How much does Barrow's Goldeneye weigh?

0.75-1.2 kg

How long does Barrow's Goldeneye live?

8-15 years

How fast can Barrow's Goldeneye move?

70 km/h

What does Barrow's Goldeneye eat?

These ducks dive deep to munch on tasty aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish.

Where is Barrow's Goldeneye usually found?

Coastal areas

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

More Birds