Common Goldeneye

Bucephalus clangula

Fairly common & widespread Winter visitors with 20,000 birds between September-April in Britain.

Rare breeder in Scotland of 200 pairs.

Also winters in Portugal, very scarce in Eastern Spain.

Few pairs also breed in Iceland.

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. 

Females & Juveniles have a brown head and a mostly grey body.

Their legs and feet are orange-yellow.

In Spring, the Males have characteristic head throw display with grating calls.