Goldeneye problem

This is a problem that only a birder could love: how to distinguish the female Barrow’s Goldeneye from the female Common Goldeneye. Both are ducks, and both look much the same.

I was reminded of this problem during a lakeside walk this morning. There in the water was a pair of Common Goldeneyes—a fact made obvious by the male. During the breeding season (which is upon us), he is the showy one. He is black and white. The male Common Goldeneye has a circular cheek patch; the male Barrow’s Goldeneye has a crescent cheek patch.

The females, however, try to be inconspicuous, and in doing so are an almost identical brown and grey. Almost—but not quite. Distinguishing them is mainly a problem when they are seen alone. In the pictures, below, the females appear with the males making their identification obvious. This pairing enables one to recognize the subtle differences between the females.

A Common Goldeneye couple (male has an oval cheek patch) along the West Arm this morning. The female goldeneye has a somewhat more sloping forehead than the Barrow’s and its bill has extensive black at its base.

Here are some Barrow’s Goldeneyes (male has a crescent cheek patch) seen at the Nelson waterfront last month. The females have a steeper forehead and a bill with somewhat more yellow.