Bucephala islandica
The Barrow's Goldeneye is one of the most characteristic diving ducks of the Rocky Mountains. It has an amusing foraging style: after making a deep dive for food, the bird pops back up to the surface like a colorful cork. The Barrow's Goldeneye nests primarily west of the Continental Divide, and most of the world's population of this duck breeds in British Columbia, in proximity to wetlands. This species bears the name of Sir John Barrow, secretary to the British Admiralty. Barrow Strait and Barrow, Alaska, are also named after this Englishman, who was committed to finding the Northwest Passage. The scientific name islandica is the Latin form of 'Iceland'-Barrow's Goldeneyes also breed in Labrador, Greenland and Iceland. |
I.D.: General: medium-sized, rounded duck; short bill; steep forehead. Male: dark purple head; white crescent on the cheek; white underparts; white 'fingerprints' on the back; dark back and wings. Female: chocolate brown head; orange bill is tipped with black during spring/summer; gray-brown body plumage. Size: L 16-20 in. (41-51 cm). Range: uncommon to common breeder and migrant in the Rockies north of Utah; rare winter resident and migrant in the southern U.S. Rockies. Habitat: lakes, rivers, ponds and backwaters, usually bordered by deciduous trees; adjacent mixed forests are required for nest sites. Nesting: in a tree cavity, usually an abandoned woodpecker nest or a natural cavity, up to 50 ft. (15 m) high; down is added to the nest throughout incubation; female incubates 9-10 olive green eggs. Feeding: dives underwater for aquatic nymphs and larvae, especially damselflies and dragonflies; also eats crustaceans and some aquatic plants. Voice: generally silent. Male: 'mewing' call in spring. Female: hoarse 'croaks' in spring. Similar Species: Common Goldeneye: male has a small, round, white cheek patch and lacks the white 'fingerprints' on the back; female has a darker bill, which lacks the black tip. |
