Precocious goldeneyes

 

The male Common Goldeneye Duck is in his breeding plumage from October to June. That presumably means that he is prepared to breed, not that he is about to breed. So, I thought nothing of it when three strapping lads swam by in mid December, each decked out in breeding plumage. What then happened was unexpected.

In December, three Common Goldeneyes swam by. Spring is a long way off.

Suddenly, despite the absence of females, they began to exhibit courtship behaviour: each tossed its head back.

This was followed by head pumping,

And water twitching. These actions are all courting behaviour.

Apparently satisfied that they now had their act together, they flew off: “OK, now let’s go and find the girls.”

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4 Responses to Precocious goldeneyes

  1. julia z says:

    How do you happen to be at the right place at the right time?! That must have been breath-taking!

  2. Christine says:

    That’s interesting and funny, good to be educated about these lovely goldeneyes. Thank you!

  3. Alastair Urquhart says:

    Lovely. Thanks.

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