The common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) in flight during migration from the north - Buy this stock photo and explore similar images at Adobe Stock Sales: 800-685-3602 Sell It is also one of the last of the diver ducks to migrate south each fall and can normally be found late season on the rivers and larger bodies of water that stay open till the very end of the hunting season. In coming months, this duck will provide biologists with a wealth of information about the migration ecology of Barrow’s Goldeneyes. Family: Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans) in the order Anseriformes. I couldn't believe it when I saw this. Male common goldeneyes have blackish iridescent green heads with a white circular patch between the eye and the base of the bill. The common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium-sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes.Its closest relative is the similar Barrow's goldeneye. These distinctively shaped, large-headed ducks dive for their food, eating mostly aquatic invertebrates and fish. Some wintering species, such as Common Goldeneye, may not be present in full numbers until December, and some rare northern gulls may not show up until then. The male Common Goldeneye adds a bright note to winter days with its radiant amber eye, glistening green-black head, and crisp black-and-white body and wings. Description: Common goldeneyes have compact bodies with large heads, relatively small, narrow bills, and short tails. The Common Goldeneye on the other hand, is a much more common duck. In the summer, they prefer alkaline wetlands with open water, little emergent vegetation, high invertebrate populations, and an absence of fish. Males are easiest: Common has less black on the back, lacks a dark spur on the side, and has a circular (not crescent-shaped) white patch on the face. There was only one mother looking after all these ducklings. A diving duck, it is usually found on open water of rivers and lakes. Noppadol Paothong. Very similar to Barrow’s Goldeneye. The female has a chocolate brown head with the same bright eye that gives this species its name. Common usually has a dark bill with a small yellow patch near the tip, but rarely can have an entirely dull yellowish bill like Barrow’s. Interactive eBird map: Click here for an interactive eBird map of Common Goldeneye sightings. The common goldeneye is a common migrant and winter resident in Missouri. Common goldeneyes fly in small compact clusters, with their wings making a distinctive whistle at every wing beat. It can be found on many large, deep bodies of water as well as along many rivers and streams and on both coasts. Sandhill Crane migration has been getting later in recent years, with the birds not moving out of staging areas northwest of Ohio until forced out by weather, so their peak passage through Ohio is now often in December. The common goldeneye, like the Barrow's goldeneye, is named for its brilliant yellow iris. It was like a duckling daycare. Females can be very difficult.