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Common Goldeneye
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium-sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes.
Adult males ranges from 45–52 cm (18–21 inches) and from 888 to 1400 grams (1.9 to 3.1 lbs), while females range from 40–50 cm (16–20 inches) and from 500 to 1182 grams (1.1 to 2.6 lbs). The species is aptly named for its golden-yellow eye. Adult males have a dark head with a greenish gloss and a circular white patch below the eye, a dark back and a white neck and belly. Adult females have a brown head and a mostly grey body. Their legs and feet are orange-yellow.
Their breeding habitat is the taiga. They are found in the lakes and rivers of boreal forests across Canada and the northern United States, Scandinavia and northern Russia. They are migratory and most winter in protected coastal waters or open inland waters at more temperate latitudes. Naturally, they nest in cavities in large trees. They will readily use nestboxes, and this has enabled a healthy breeding population to establish in Scotland where they are increasing and slowly spreading with the help of nestboxes. They are usually quite common in winter around lakes of Britain and some are being encouraged to nest in nestboxes which are put up to try to have them there all year round.
Often the natural tree cavities are made by broken limbs, unless they are made by Pileated Woodpeckers or Black Woodpeckers, the only tree-cavity-making animals who make a cavity large enough to normally accommodate a goldeneye. Average egg size is a breadth of 43.3 mm (1.7 inches), a length of 59.3 mm (2.3 inches) and a weight of 64 grams (2.3 oz). The incubation period ranges from 28 to 32 days. The female does all the incubating and is abandoned by the male about 1 to 2 weeks into incubation. The young remain in the nest for about 24–36 hours. Brood parasitism is quite common both with other Common Goldeneyes as well as other duck species and even Tree Swallow and European Starling eggs have been found mixed with goldeneye eggs! The broods commonly start to mix with other females' broods as they become more independent. Goldeneye young have been known to be competitively killed by other goldeneye mothers, Common Loons and Red-necked Grebes. The young are capable of flight at 55–65 days of age. |
Alex99, marius-secan, joska has marked this note useful
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- Alex99
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(23735) - [2012-03-06 11:08]
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Hi Razvan.
I see you have similar weather and light conditions for shooting. Nice presentation of this charming small creature. Its pose and golden eye are really cute as well as surrounding small waves which create an impressive surroundings. TFS and all the best.
Alexei.
Buna Razvan,
Frumoasa captura cu detalii si culori naturale foarte bune in pofida conditiilor meteo.....
Nu am intalnit inca specia.....
Marius.
Hello
nice photo, very sharp and great POV
Congratulations and thanks for sharing
Hello Vanni
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 26 N: 3888]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2007 W: 0 N: 5412]](https://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(29598)
Buna Razvan,
Excelenta fotografie despre o specie mai putin frecventa in zona noastra, de mult o urmaresc aceasta specie, dar nu am avut norocul sa ma apropii.felicitari pentru aceasta prezentare reusita!