Page 117 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

WILDFOWL
Order Anseriformes Family Anatidae Species Bucephala clangula
Goldeneye green-glossed yellow eye triangular
dark
black head with bill
bold white spot
black marks on
sparkling white body

large white
MALE (WINTER) belly
extensive white
on wing
MALE (WINTER)
body becomes
white with age
face develops white
spot in winter
dark brown
head
grey body
FEMALE
IN FLIGHT
JUVENILE (MALE)
here are usually more Goldeneyes in a group than is usually
Tapparent until they fly off: typically, at least half of these expert
divers are underwater at any one time. Usually shy, they are easily FEMALE yellow patch
disturbed by people on the shore or by boats, flying off in tight- on grey bill
packed groups with a loud whistling from their wings. Flocks are
typically predominantly females and immatures, although more FLIGHT: very quick and strong, with rather short
adult males may appear in spring (summer males look like females). wings; fast, deep wingbeats create loud whistle.
VOICE Frequent nasal, mechanical ze-zeee in display; female has
grating double note.
NESTING Down-lined tree hole and nest box; 8–11 eggs; 1 brood;
April–June.
FEEDING Dives constantly from surface
to find molluscs and crustaceans.

FLYING
Goldeneyes are
shy and quick
to fly off.
Their wings RESTING FLOCK
make a loud After feeding well, Goldeneyes rest in flocks, head
whistling sound. withdrawn and tails cocked.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in N Europe (but only rarely
SMEW 3winter, similar in Scotland), in wooded areas
to 3winter; see p.116
beside cold freshwater lakes.
grey white head Numbers often increased by
flanks
provision of nest boxes. In winter,
browner dark widespread on lakes, reservoirs,
neck
VELVET SCOTER 2 and estuaries.
similar to 2; Seen in the UK
see p.113 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
Length 42–50cm (16 1 ⁄2 –20in) Wingspan 65–80cm (26–32in) Weight 600–1,200g (21–43oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 8 years Status Secure
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