Barrow's Goldeneye

Duck Families and Species Sea Ducks Bufflehead King Eider Mergansers Smew

The Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) is one of two species of Goldeneyes indigenous to North America.

Both species are named for the color of the eyes. The above picture shows the female Barrow's Goldeneye with a more white than golden eye. The color is more an artifact of the light at the time the picture was taken, rather than a true representation of eye color.

Goldeneyes are classified as sea ducks, with distinct East and West Coast populations. The West Coast population vastly outnumbers the East Coast population.

The round head is another good field identification mark for the species. Males have black and white feathers with white stripes on black wings.

© 2005-2008 Patricia A. Michaels