Home/Species/ Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Goldeneye

G5Secure Found in 135 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G5SecureGlobal Rank

Least concernIUCN

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101051

Element CodeABNJB18010

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVertebrate Animal

IUCNLeast concern

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomAnimalia

PhylumCraniata

ClassAves

OrderAnseriformes

FamilyAnatidae

GenusBucephala

Other Common Names

common goldeneye (EN) Garrot à oeil d'or (FR) Pato Chillón (ES)

Concept Reference

American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.

Conservation Status

Rank MethodExpertise without calculation

Review Date2016-04-06

Change Date1996-11-21

Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)

Range Extent Comments

BREEDS: Eurasia; North America, western and central Alaska, Mackenzie Delta, east to southern Hudson Bay and Newfoundland, south to northern Washington, central Montana, northern North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, northern Michigan, northern New York, northern Vermont, Maine. WINTERS: Eurasia, to Mediterranean, southern China; in North America, Aleutians and southeastern Alaska to southern California, Great Lakes through the Ohio and Mississippi valleys to the Gulf Coast, St. Lawrence River and Nova Scotia to Florida, and inland national wildlife refuges (e.g., Browns Park in Colorado and Mundt in South Dakota) (Root 1988).

Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

See Tobish (1987) for details on identification of Barrow's and common goldeneyes in all plumages.

Habitat

Ponds, lakes, rivers and coastal bays, wintering primarily in bays and estuaries, less commonly on rivers and lakes (AOU 1983). Nests usually near pond, lake, or river, but may nest in woodland up to a mile from water. May nest in natural tree cavity in large hardwood tree, in abandoned woodpecker hole, or nest-box. Often nests in same area in successive years. May "prospect" for future nest sites at end of breeding season.

Reproduction

Breeding begins in early May in south, June in north. Clutch size is 5-19 (usually 8-12). Incubation, by female, lasts 28-32 days (Terres 1980; Ziucs et al. 1995, Condor 97:461-472). Nestlings are precocial and downy. Young are tended by female, can fly at 51-60 days (Harrison 1978).

Terrestrial Habitats

Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed

Palustrine Habitats

Riparian

Other Nations (2)

United StatesN5B,N5N

Province	Rank	Native
Maine	S5B,S5N	Yes
New Mexico	S5N	Yes
Alaska	S5B,S4N	Yes
South Dakota	SNA	Yes
Connecticut	SNA	Yes
Tennessee	S4N	Yes
Mississippi	S4N	Yes
Washington	S5N	Yes
New Hampshire	S3B	Yes
Maryland	S5N	Yes
Ohio	SNRN	Yes
Massachusetts	S5N	Yes
New Jersey	SNA	Yes
South Carolina	S4N	Yes
Wisconsin	S2B,S5N	Yes
Utah	S2	Yes
Michigan	S3	Yes
North Dakota	S3	Yes
Kentucky	S3N	Yes
Rhode Island	SNA	Yes
Arkansas	S3N	Yes
Delaware	S2N	Yes
Navajo Nation	S4N	Yes
Kansas	S4N	Yes
New York	S3B,SNRN	Yes
Wyoming	S3B	Yes
Minnesota	SNRB,SNRM	Yes
Nebraska	SNRN	Yes
Arizona	S5N	Yes
Missouri	SNRN	Yes
Iowa	S4N	Yes
Vermont	S2B,S5N	Yes
Virginia	SNRN	Yes
Idaho	S5B,S5N	Yes
Oregon	S4N	Yes
Texas	S4N	Yes
Georgia	S4	Yes
Illinois	SNA	Yes
North Carolina	S2N	Yes
Florida	SNRN	Yes
Indiana	S4N	Yes
West Virginia	S3N	Yes
Pennsylvania	S4N,S4M	Yes
Nevada	S4N	Yes
Alabama	S4N	Yes
California	SNRN	Yes
Louisiana	S3N	Yes
Colorado	S5N	Yes
Montana	S5	Yes

CanadaN5B,N5N

Province	Rank	Native
Alberta	S5B	Yes
Prince Edward Island	S5N	Yes
Ontario	S5	Yes
Quebec	S4B	Yes
Nova Scotia	S2B,S5N,S5M	Yes
Saskatchewan	S5B	Yes
Northwest Territories	S5	Yes
Labrador	S5B	Yes
Nunavut	SUB	Yes
Island of Newfoundland	S4B,SUN	Yes
British Columbia	S5	Yes
Manitoba	S5B	Yes
New Brunswick	S4B,S4N,S5M	Yes
Yukon Territory	S4B,S3N	Yes

Roadless Areas (135)

Alaska (25)

Area	Forest	Acres
Bering Lake	Chugach National Forest	965,076
Boston Bar	Chugach National Forest	53,617
College Fiord	Chugach National Forest	1,130,818
Copper River Wetlands	Chugach National Forest	85,972
Douglas Island	Tongass National Forest	28,065
Fidalgo-Gravina	Chugach National Forest	257,968
Johnson Pass	Chugach National Forest	152,508
Juneau Urban	Tongass National Forest	101,581
Juneau-Skagway Icefield	Tongass National Forest	1,187,268
Kenai Lake	Chugach National Forest	213,172
Kenai Mountains	Chugach National Forest	306,600
Mansfield Peninsula	Tongass National Forest	54,991
Nellie Juan	Chugach National Forest	713,697
North Baranof	Tongass National Forest	314,089
North Revilla	Tongass National Forest	215,430
Redoubt	Tongass National Forest	68,347
Resurrection	Chugach National Forest	224,615
Revilla	Tongass National Forest	29,298
Rhine	Tongass National Forest	23,010
Roaded Donut	Chugach National Forest	968
Sheridan Glacier	Chugach National Forest	224,683
Sitka Urban	Tongass National Forest	112,003
South Kruzof	Tongass National Forest	55,193
Taku-Snettisham	Tongass National Forest	664,928
Twenty Mile	Chugach National Forest	198,775

Arizona (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Black Cross	Tonto National Forest	5,966
Goldfield	Tonto National Forest	15,257

California (12)

Area	Forest	Acres
Cajon	San Bernardino National Forest	7,548
Chips Creek	Lassen National Forest	29,089
City Creek	San Bernardino National Forest	9,997
Deep Creek	San Bernardino National Forest	23,869
Granite Chief	Tahoe National Forest	6,546
Greenhorn Creek	Sequoia National Forest	28,226
Horse Mdw.	Inyo National Forest	5,687
Mill Peak	San Bernardino National Forest	7,884
Mystic (CA)	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	836
Pyramid	Eldorado National Forest	24,347
Sespe - Frazier	Los Padres National Forest	106,910
Timbered Crater	Lassen National Forest	4,096

Colorado (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Hermosa	San Juan NF	148,103
Long Park	Routt NF	42,100

Idaho (9)

Area	Forest	Acres
Bear Creek	Caribou-Targhee National Forest	118,582
Borah Peak	Salmon-Challis National Forest	130,463
Hoodoo	Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest	153,868
Needles	Payette National Forest	131,279
Palisades	Caribou-Targhee National Forest	122,002
Peace Rock	Boise National Forest	191,734
Pioneer Mountains	Sawtooth National Forest	119,563
Pioneer Mountains	Salmon-Challis National Forest	172,460
Secesh	Payette National Forest	248,088

Michigan (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Government Island	Hiawatha National Forest	225

Minnesota (3)

Area	Forest	Acres
Baker - Homer - Brule Lakes	Superior National Forest	6,712
Brule Lake - Eagle Mountain	Superior National Forest	12,380
Kawishiwi Lake To Sawbill	Superior National Forest	15,305

Montana (17)

Area	Forest	Acres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - Swan	Lewis and Clark National Forest	344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - Swan	Lolo National Forest	118,485
Bmss Ra 1485	Flathead National Forest	334,275
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)	Kootenai National Forest	34,716
Cabin Creek Wildlife Management Area Ocd	Gallatin National Forest	35,048
Cabinet Face East #671	Kootenai National Forest	50,326
Cube Iron - Silcox	Lolo National Forest	36,998
East Pioneer	Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest	145,082
Flagstaff Mountain #690	Kootenai National Forest	11,114
Freezeout Mountain	Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest	97,305
Lionhead	Gallatin National Forest	33,549
Middle Fork Judith Wsa	Lewis and Clark National Forest	81,131
North Absaroka	Custer National Forest	21,063
North Siegel	Lolo National Forest	9,208
Reservation Divide	Lolo National Forest	16,908
Scotchman Peaks (MT)	Kootenai National Forest	53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)	Bitterroot National Forest	114,953

Nevada (10)

Area	Forest	Acres
Mystic (NV)	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	5,644
Rose - Alum Creek	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	853
Rose - Big Meadows	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	311
Rose - Davis Mdw.	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	2,361
Rose - Dutch Louie	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	363
Rose - Evans	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	4,782
Rose - Hunter Lk No	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	149
Rose - Northeast	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	550
Rose - Verdi	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	1,155
Rose - Whites Canyon	Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest	2,568

New Mexico (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Meadow Creek	Gila National Forest	34,167

Oregon (8)

Area	Forest	Acres
Eagle	Mt. Hood National Forest	16,841
Hellhole	Umatilla National Forest	65,679
Jaussaud Corral	Umatilla National Forest	5,535
Mt. Jefferson	Deschutes National Forest	2,282
Sky Lakes A	Winema National Forest	3,940
Umpqua Spit	Siuslaw National Forest	2,090
Walla Walla River	Umatilla National Forest	34,416
West - South Bachelor	Deschutes National Forest	25,994

South Dakota (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Indian Creek	Buffalo Gap National Grassland	24,666

Texas (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Big Creek	National Forests in Texas	1,447

Utah (15)

Area	Forest	Acres
0401011	Ashley National Forest	30,062
418024	Uinta National Forest	51,699
418025	Uinta National Forest	32,698
418029	Uinta National Forest	15,673
Boulder Mountain	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	8,852
Cottonwood	Dixie National Forest	6,754
Lewis Peak	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	11,616
Mahogany Range	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	11,409
Mt. Aire	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	9,681
Mt. Logan North	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	18,930
Mt. Logan South	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	17,014
Mt. Logan West	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	5,285
Mt. Naomi	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	41,922
Oak Creek	Fishlake National Forest	54,053
Wellsville	Wasatch-Cache National Forest	1,717

Virginia (1)

Area	Forest	Acres
Adams Peak	George Washington National Forest	7,135

Washington (18)

Area	Forest	Acres
Canyon Creek	Wenatchee National Forest	7,983
Chelan	Wenatchee National Forest	74,650
Dark Divide	Gifford Pinchot National Forest	52,483
Dry Canyon Breaks	Colville National Forest	4,821
Goat Rocks Adj	Wenatchee National Forest	6,108
Grassy Top	Idaho Panhandle National Forests	13,485
Grassy Top	Colville National Forest	10,302
Horseshoe	Gifford Pinchot National Forest	7,579
Jefferson Ridge	Olympic National Forest	6,512
Jupiter Ridge	Olympic National Forest	10,148
Lightning	Olympic National Forest	7,179
Madison Creek	Olympic National Forest	1,223
Packwood Lake	Gifford Pinchot National Forest	1,084
Pressentin	Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest	14,545
Rock Creek	Wenatchee National Forest	32,239
Sawtooth	Okanogan National Forest	122,194
Twin Lakes	Wenatchee National Forest	22,496
Upper Skokomish	Olympic National Forest	9,311

Wyoming (9)

Area	Forest	Acres
Cloud Peak Contiguous	Bighorn National Forest	113,757
Gros Ventre Mountains	Bridger-Teton National Forest	106,418
Pacific Creek - Blackrock Creek	Bridger-Teton National Forest	24,658
Palisades	Targhee National Forest	1,121
Rock Creek	Bighorn National Forest	48,657
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre River	Bridger-Teton National Forest	166,097
Walker Prairie	Bighorn National Forest	62,434
West Slope Tetons	Targhee National Forest	47,448
Wilderness Study Area	Targhee National Forest	51,961

References (17)

American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. 877 pp.
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in <i>The Auk</i>]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Bellrose, F.C. 1976. Ducks, geese and swans of North America. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA.
BirdLife International. 2004b. Threatened birds of the world 2004. CD ROM. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.
Eadie, J. M., L.-P. L. Savard, and M. L. Mallory. 2000 Barrow's Goldeneye (BUCEPHALA ISLANDICA). No. 548 IN A. Poole and F. Gill, editors, The birds of North America. The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. 32pp.
Grand, J.B., and P.L. Flint. 1997. Productivity of nesting Spectacled Eiders on the lower Kashunuk River, Alaska. Condor 100:926-932.
Harrison, C. 1978. A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds. Collins, Cleveland, Ohio.
Johnson, S. R. and D. R. Herter. 1989. The Birds of the Beaufort Sea. BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. 372 pp.
Parker III, T. A., D. F. Stotz, and J. W. Fitzpatrick. 1996. Ecological and distributional databases for neotropical birds. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Poole, A. F. and F. B. Gill. 1992. The birds of North America. The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. and The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA.
Reed, A. 1975. Migration, homing, and mortality of breeding female eiders SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA DRESSERI of the St. Lawrence estuary, Quebec. Ornis Scand. 6:41-47.
Root, T. 1988. Atlas of wintering North American birds: An analysis of Christmas Bird Count data. University of Chicago Press. 336 pp.
Swennen, C. 1990. Dispersal and migratory movements of eiders SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA breeding in the Netherlands. Ornis Scand. 21:17-27.
Terres, J. K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
Tobish, T. 1987. Separation of Barrow's and common goldeneyes in all plumages. Birding 18(1):17-27.
van de Wetering, D. 1997. Moult characteristics and habitat selection of post-breeding male Barrow's Goldeneye (BUCEPHALA ISLANDICA) in northern Yukon. Technical Report Series No. 296, Canadian Wildlife Service, Quebec Region.
Wakeley, J. S., and H. L. Mendall. 1976. Migrational homing and survival of adult female eiders in Maine. Journal of Wildlife Management 40:15-21.