The Common Goldeneye is a compact diving duck with a puffy, round green-glossed head and a circular white face spot in males. Its wings produce a distinctive whistling or musical ringing sound in flight that gives goldeneyes the colloquial name 'whistlers.' It nests in tree cavities in boreal forests and is a fierce competitor for Barrow's Goldeneye nest sites.
Habitat
Boreal lakes and rivers in summer; coastal bays and large lakes in winter
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, fish, and crustaceans
How common
Common
Recent Common Goldeneye sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Common Goldeneye? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free