Common
GoldeneyeCommon Goldeneye -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 18 inches | Wingspan: 30 inches | Seasonality: Winter/Migrant |
| ID Keys: White oval spot on face, yellow eye, black back and head with white body | ||
Common
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Common Goldeneyes are by far the more common and numerous goldeneye found in the state, with the Barrow's Goldeneye being only a rare visitor. Hunters often refer to them as "whistlers" due to the tendency of their wings to make a whistling sound in flight.
Habitat: Protected lakes, ponds, sloughs, and rivers.
Diet: Insects, crustaceans, small fish, and some vegetation.
Nesting: Non-breeder in the state.
Song: Grating cry from the male during courtship.
Migrations: Winters throughout most of the United States, summers in Canada and Alaska.
Birdhouses: Will use nest boxes (doesn't breed in SD, however)
Similar Species: Barrow's Goldeneye. See Identification Tips.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Common Goldeneye
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Common Goldeneye"
3) eNature.com: Common Goldeneye
Photo Information: January 28th, 2007 - Missouri River near Pierre - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links near the bottom of the page for additional, higher-resolution Common Goldeneye photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant statewide. Locally common in winter where open water is present. |
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
