In the lee

  

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) at sunset in Bodega Harbor, 13 February 2023.

Late afternoon swim

  

Len wrote wondering whether the goldeneye I showed in last night's post might show some characteristics of a hybrid — Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) x Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica).  So I paused in the area again today and looked around a bit.  I only saw individuals that looked like Common Goldeneyes, but the ducks were a little closer to shore, so here's a better photo of a Common Goldeneye.  [That's a Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) in the background.]

Harbor reflections

 

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) at the north end of Bodega Harbor on 10 December 2019.

The light was a bit dim, but the patterns and reflections on the water drew my eye:

 

Below is a comparison of two goldeneyes and a Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola).  Although both species are dominantly black and white, the placement of white on their heads is different.  The goldeneyes have a smaller white spot in front of the eye, while the Buffleheads have a larger white patch behind the eye and wrapping around the back of the head (females of both species are brown and have different patterning than the males):

 

 

Goldeneyes

Common Goldeneyes (3 males) in Bodega Harbor.  Like many diving ducks, they will leave the coast to breed in boreal forests (in tree cavities!).  Watch for their spectacular courtship displays with males performing dramatic head tosses.