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Home/Species/ Barrow's Goldeneye

Bucephala islandica

(Gmelin, 1789)

Barrow's Goldeneye

G5Secure Found in 145 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105817
Element CodeABNJB18020
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
COSEWICPS:SC
Other Common Names
Barrow's goldeneye (EN) Garrot d'Islande (FR)
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: southeastern Alaska, northern Mackenzie, northwestern British Columbia south to eastern Washington, southwestern Oregon, eastern California; Colorado Rockies; Quebec, Labrador, Greenland, Iceland. WINTERS: southern Alaska south along coast to central California (mainly from Washington northward); locally from southern British Columbia and northern Montana to northern Nevada, Utah, Colorado; from Gulf of St. Lawrence south to New York, rarely to South Carolina.
Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

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

Habitat

Winters on lakes, rivers, estuaries, and bays. Usually nests near lake or pond surrounded by dense vegetation. May nest in wooded or open country. Usually nests in a natural tree cavity, abandoned woodpecker hole, rock cavity, stream bank. Often nests in same area in successive years.

Ecology

In summer usually found in small, scattered groups. In winter often seen in large flocks.

Reproduction

Clutch size is 6-15 (usually 10-13). Incubation, by female, lasts about 30 days. In British Columbia, mean hatching date is mid- to late June (Savard et al. 1991). Nestlings are precocial and downy. Pair bond may last more than 1 year (Savard 1985). Intraspecific nest parasitism is common (Savard 1988).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5B,N5N
ProvinceRankNative
New HampshireSNAYes
ColoradoS2BYes
AlaskaS5B,S5NYes
MassachusettsS2NYes
OregonS3B,S3NYes
WashingtonS3B,S4NYes
NevadaSNAYes
South DakotaSNAYes
MontanaS4Yes
VermontS3NYes
ArizonaS1NYes
UtahS1NYes
CaliforniaS1Yes
MaineS2NYes
New YorkSNRNYes
IdahoS3B,S3NYes
WyomingS4Yes
New MexicoS2NYes
CanadaN5B,N4N,N4M
ProvinceRankNative
Northwest TerritoriesS4Yes
Yukon TerritoryS4BYes
British ColumbiaS4Yes
OntarioS2NYes
LabradorS1B,S3MYes
Nova ScotiaS1N,SUMYes
SaskatchewanSNAYes
Island of NewfoundlandS1B,S2N,SUMYes
NunavutSUMYes
New BrunswickS2N,S3MYes
AlbertaS4B,SUNYes
QuebecS3Yes
Prince Edward IslandS2NYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)UnknownLow (long-term)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationPervasive (71-100%)UnknownLow (long-term)

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Roadless Areas (145)
Alaska (45)
AreaForestAcres
Behm IslandsTongass National Forest4,777
Bering LakeChugach National Forest965,076
Boston BarChugach National Forest53,617
ChichagofTongass National Forest555,858
Chilkat-West Lynn CanalTongass National Forest199,772
Chugach-12Chugach National Forest8,116
Chugach-13Chugach National Forest13,337
College FiordChugach National Forest1,130,818
Copper River WetlandsChugach National Forest85,972
Douglas IslandTongass National Forest28,065
Fidalgo-GravinaChugach National Forest257,968
Freshwater BayTongass National Forest44,933
GravinaTongass National Forest37,381
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
Johnson PassChugach National Forest152,508
Juneau UrbanTongass National Forest101,581
Juneau-Skagway IcefieldTongass National Forest1,187,268
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Kenai MountainsChugach National Forest306,600
LindenbergTongass National Forest25,855
MadanTongass National Forest68,553
Mansfield PeninsulaTongass National Forest54,991
Nellie JuanChugach National Forest713,697
North BaranofTongass National Forest314,089
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
North WrangellTongass National Forest8,091
Pavlof-East PointTongass National Forest5,399
Port AlexanderTongass National Forest120,681
Prince William Sound Is.Chugach National Forest118,698
RedoubtTongass National Forest68,347
ResurrectionChugach National Forest224,615
RevillaTongass National Forest29,298
RhineTongass National Forest23,010
Roaded DonutChugach National Forest968
Sheridan GlacierChugach National Forest224,683
Sitka SoundTongass National Forest13,459
Sitka UrbanTongass National Forest112,003
South KruzofTongass National Forest55,193
SpiresTongass National Forest533,746
Taku-SnettishamTongass National Forest664,928
Tenakee RidgeTongass National Forest20,527
Twenty MileChugach National Forest198,775
Upper SitukTongass National Forest16,789
Windham-Port HoughtonTongass National Forest161,952
Yakutat ForelandsTongass National Forest323,648
California (5)
AreaForestAcres
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Snow MountainMendocino National Forest14,457
Colorado (3)
AreaForestAcres
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Red TableWhite River NF39,122
Idaho (10)
AreaForestAcres
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
Boulder - White CloudsSalmon-Challis National Forest139,297
Boulder - White CloudsSawtooth National Forest322,653
HoodooNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest153,868
NeedlesPayette National Forest131,279
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Peace RockBoise National Forest191,734
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
SeceshPayette National Forest248,088
Montana (22)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabin Creek Wildlife Management Area OcdGallatin National Forest35,048
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
HolterHelena National Forest1,965
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest143,991
LionheadGallatin National Forest33,549
MadisonGallatin National Forest127,859
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest16,908
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Silver KingLolo National Forest12,816
Tuchuck Ra 1482Flathead National Forest17,730
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
Oregon (17)
AreaForestAcres
BearwallowsDeschutes National Forest7,317
Charlton ButteWillamette National Forest3,031
French Pete (a)Willamette National Forest1,668
HomesteadWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,817
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Imnaha FaceWallowa-Whitman National Forest29,575
LakeMt. Hood National Forest1,327
Maiden PeakDeschutes National Forest26,432
Maiden PeakWillamette National Forest9,627
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
Mt. ThielsenWinema National Forest1,153
OlallieMt. Hood National Forest7,607
Twin LakesMt. Hood National Forest6,055
Waldo - FujiWillamette National Forest15,273
Waldo - LakeWillamette National Forest2,993
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
Utah (7)
AreaForestAcres
Boulder MountainWasatch-Cache National Forest8,852
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. Logan SouthWasatch-Cache National Forest17,014
Mt. Logan WestWasatch-Cache National Forest5,285
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Right Hand Fork LoganWasatch-Cache National Forest15,023
Washington (20)
AreaForestAcres
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest33,862
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
ChelanWenatchee National Forest74,650
Eagle RockMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest34,064
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Goat Rocks AdjWenatchee National Forest6,108
Granite MountainOkanogan National Forest27,428
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests13,485
Grassy TopColville National Forest10,302
HorseshoeGifford Pinchot National Forest7,579
Jupiter RidgeOlympic National Forest10,148
ManastashWenatchee National Forest11,155
Mt. Baker Noisy - DiobsudMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest56,039
Norse PeakWenatchee National Forest10,169
Packwood LakeGifford Pinchot National Forest1,084
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
SawtoothOkanogan National Forest122,194
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
White PassGifford Pinchot National Forest1,145
Wyoming (16)
AreaForestAcres
Canyon CreekShoshone National Forest7,530
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Little Sheep MountainBridger-Teton National Forest14,192
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Mosquito Lake - Seven LakesBridger-Teton National Forest51,950
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
References (17)
  1. American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1983. Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. 877 pp.
  2. 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/.
  3. Bellrose, F.C. 1976. Ducks, geese and swans of North America. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA.
  4. 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.
  5. Grand, J.B., and P.L. Flint. 1997. Productivity of nesting Spectacled Eiders on the lower Kashunuk River, Alaska. Condor 100:926-932.
  6. Harrison, C. 1978. A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds. Collins, Cleveland, Ohio.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Root, T. 1988. Atlas of wintering North American birds: An analysis of Christmas Bird Count data. University of Chicago Press. 336 pp.
  10. Savard, J. L. 1988. Use of nest boxes by Barrow's goldeneyes: nesting success and effect on the breeding population. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 16:125-132.
  11. Savard, J.-P. L. 1985. Evidence of long-term pair bonds in Barrow's Goldeneye (BUCEPHALA ISLANDICA). Auk 102:389-391.
  12. Savard, J.-P. L., G. E. J. Smith, and J. N. M. Smith. 1991. Duckling mortality in Barrow's goldeneye and bufflehead broods. Auk 108:568-577.
  13. Swennen, C. 1990. Dispersal and migratory movements of eiders SOMATERIA MOLLISSIMA breeding in the Netherlands. Ornis Scand. 21:17-27.
  14. Terres, J. K. 1980. The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
  15. Tobish, T. 1987. Separation of Barrow's and common goldeneyes in all plumages. Birding 18(1):17-27.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.