Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
- FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
- GenusBucephala (Goldeneyes and Bufflehead)
- SpeciesBucephala clangula (Common Goldeneye)
About the Common Goldeneye
The common goldeneye or simply goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) is a medium-sized sea duck of the genus Bucephala, the goldeneyes. Its closest relative is the similar Barrow's goldeneye. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek boukephalos ("bullheaded", from bous, "bull" and kephale, "head"), a reference to the bulbous head shape of the bufflehead. The species name is derived from the Latin clangere ("to resound").
Common goldeneyes are aggressive and territorial ducks, and have elaborate courtship displays. The common goldeneye was formally described in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Anas clangula. Linnaeus specified the type location as Europe but in 1761 restricted this to Sweden. The common goldeneye is now one of three species placed in the genus Bucephala that was introduced in 1858 by the American naturalist Spencer Baird. The genus name is from Ancient Greek boukephalos meaning "bullheaded" or "large-headed". The specific epithet is from Latin clangere meaning "to resound".
Two subspecies are recognised: B. c. clangula (Linnaeus, 1758) – subarctic from Scotland and Scandinavia... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Common Goldeneye in Banff National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Banff National Park
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bucephala islandica
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Common Teal
Anas crecca
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Common Goldeneye in Banff National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Common Goldeneye sighting in Banff National Park, based on 481 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Common Goldeneye in Banff National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Common Goldeneye in Banff National Park in our monthly data.