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Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula
Anatidae
Male has distinctive plumage pattern
Female plumage pattern similar to male's ...
... but brown where male's is black
Two males synchronized in flight
Male with fanned tail feathers
Female in flight
Dives can last over a minute ....
... to result in a crayfish dinner!
Male displaying ...
... female not to be outdone
A mated pair
Usual clutch size 4-9 eggs, so this is a blended family
Female with ducklings; Riga⁩, ⁨Latvia⁩
Ducklings in British Columbia, Canada
Immature Common Goldeneye, Ohio
Wintering flock; Wyoming

The Common Goldeneye is a medium-size sea duck with distinctively golden irises that contrast sharply with a dark head.  At Salter Grove, it is most often seen in the water north of the causeway foraging for aquatic invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans.  It is rarely in the company of other duck species.

It breeds around the lakes and rivers of boreal forests in Canada and Alaska, as well as in Eurasia.  It nests in large tree holes as high as 60 feet above the ground.  Ducklings usually leave the nest one to two days after hatching.  Imagine the leap of faith taken by a newly hatched Common Goldeneye as it tumbles from the nest in response to calls from its mother on the ground.

It winters in protected coastal water as well as large ice-free inland lakes.  Pair formation occurs during the winter months when several courting males can be seen competing for the attention of a single female.