ExploreBirds

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

The Common Goldeneye is a beautiful duck with a shiny green head and a round body. They love to dive underwater to find food like fish and plants, making them fun to watch!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Common Goldeneye male has a striking iridescent green-black head with a distinct circular white patch near the bill and bright yellow eyes. Females feature a chocolate-brown head, a white neck collar, and a grey body, also with vibrant yellow eyes. This combination makes them visually distinctive from other diving ducks.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusBucephala
Common Goldeneye
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Common Goldeneye

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female Goldeneyes sometimes lay their eggs in another duck's nest!

Goldeneye ducklings can swim and feed themselves just hours after hatching!

Male Goldeneyes perform a funny "head-throw-kick" dance to impress females.

They get their name from their striking, bright yellow eyes that really stand out.

Special abilities

Ability

Deep Diver

Common Goldeneye can dive up to 6 meters deep because of their heavy bones and powerful webbed feet, helping them hunt for prey.

Ability

Cavity Nester

Common Goldeneye can nest in tree hollows up to 10 meters high, protecting eggs and ducklings from ground predators.

Ability

Underwater Vision

Common Goldeneye has specialized eyes that quickly adjust to light changes, allowing clear vision both above and below water.

Ability

Fast Takeoff

Common Goldeneye can spring directly from the water into flight without a running start, escaping danger quickly.

Measurements & details

Length
42-50 cm
Wingspan
66-80 cm
Weight
0.8-1.3 kg
Lifespan
8-12 years
Top Speed
72 km/h
Clutch Size
6-12
Incubation
28-32 days
Migration Distance
2000 km

Diet & Feeding

Common Goldeneyes dive underwater to catch a variety of small aquatic animals like fish, insects, and crustaceans.

Primary Foods

  • Small fish
  • Aquatic insect larvae
  • Mollusks
  • Crustaceans
  • Amphibians

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Common Goldeneye?

42-50 cm

What is Common Goldeneye's wingspan?

66-80 cm

How much does Common Goldeneye weigh?

0.8-1.3 kg

How long does Common Goldeneye live?

8-12 years

How fast can Common Goldeneye move?

72 km/h

What does Common Goldeneye eat?

Common Goldeneyes dive underwater to catch a variety of small aquatic animals like fish, insects, and crustaceans.

Where is Common Goldeneye usually found?

Wetlands

How does Common Goldeneye hunt?

Pursuit

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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