Fauna Flora Photography

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

A medium sized, migratory duck which can be seen around Montreal during the winter months in open water. Common Goldeneye dive for food. They build their nest in tree cavities.

Specs

Length51-64cm
Weight0.54-1kg
Wingspan76-89cm

Common Names

GermanSchellente
EnglishCommon Goldeneye
FrenchGarrot à œil d'or
SpanishPorrón osculado

Taxonomy

OrderAnseriformes
FamilyAnatidae
SpeciesBucephala clangula

How to Identify

I look at the color pattern of male, greenish black head with a white spot near the beak, and female, brown head, and the characteristic yellow ring around the eye to identify this bird.

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Parc des Rapides - 2019-03-16
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Parc des Rapides - 2018-02-18
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Parc des Rapides - 2017-03-05
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Parc des Rapides - 2017-03-05
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Parc des Rapides - 2016-02-01
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) - Parc des Rapides - 2016-02-01

Where and When to Spot

I see them in small flocks in Rapids Park Lachine in the river during winter months only.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Parc de la Frayère x - - x
Parc des Rapides - - - x

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.

Last updated on 2023-12-15. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.