Wildlifeof Nepal
Common Goldeneye
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: (c) Pam Hardy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Bucephala clangula
Basic stats
Diet
Forages underwater by diving
Habitat
Breeds in taiga, nesting in tree cavities; winters on coastal or open inland waters
Incubation period
28–32 days
Size
Males 45–51cm; females 40–50cm
Wingspan
77–83cm
Weight
Males about 1,000g; females about 800g
The common goldeneye is a medium-sized sea duck named for its golden-yellow eyes. 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, while females have a brown head and a mostly grey body. Males are 45 to 51cm long and weigh about 1,000g, with a wingspan of 77 to 83cm (Wikipedia, general species account).
Its breeding habitat is the taiga, and it nests in cavities in large trees, returning year after year, though it readily uses nest boxes. Incubation takes 28 to 32 days and the young leave the nest within about 24 to 36 hours. It is migratory and mostly winters in protected coastal waters or open inland waters. The sources opened give no Nepal-specific information.
Quick answers
- What does the Common Goldeneye eat?
- Forages underwater by diving
- What habitat does the Common Goldeneye live in?
- Breeds in taiga, nesting in tree cavities; winters on coastal or open inland waters
- How long are the eggs of the Common Goldeneye incubated?
- 28–32 days
- How big is the Common Goldeneye?
- Males 45–51cm; females 40–50cm
- What is the wingspan of the Common Goldeneye?
- 77–83cm
- How much does the Common Goldeneye weigh?
- Males about 1,000g; females about 800g