# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas - **Also known as:** Goldeneye Duck ![Barrow's Goldeneye](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Barrow's_Goldeneye_Drake_Seedskadee_NWR_%2816656643482%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barrow's_Goldeneye_Drake_Seedskadee_NWR_%2816656643482%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Bucephala ## 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 - **Deep Diver:** Barrow's Goldeneye can plunge to great depths underwater because of their dense bones and powerful legs that propel them. - **Underwater Vision:** Barrow's Goldeneye has specially adapted eyes that help them see clearly to hunt fish and invertebrates in murky water. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-mink) (*Mustela vison*) — Mink can prey on nests and ducklings. - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## 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? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Great Northern Railway Buildings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-northern-railway-buildings) — Montana, US · Historic Site - [Gakona Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gakona-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Illahee State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illahee-state-park) — Washington, US · State Park - [Seattle Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seattle-aquarium-washington) — Washington, US · Zoo - [East Glacier Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-glacier-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Grand Loop Road](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-loop-road) — Wyoming, US · Historic District [View all places to see Barrow's Goldeneye](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/barrows-goldeneye) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Barrow's Goldeneye: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barrows-goldeneye)