Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

No crest

Winter visitor. N subcontinent Stocky, with bulbous head. Male has dark green head, with large white patch on lores, and black-and-white patterned upperparts. Female has brown head, indistinct whitish collar, and grey body, with white wing patch usually visible at rest. Immature male resembles female, but shows pale loral spot and has some white in scapulars. Eclipse male resembles female. but wing pattern is as breeding male. in flight, both sexes show distinctive white patterning on wing. Swims with body flattened, and partially spreads wings when diving. Feeds mainly by diving in daytime, group members often submerging simultaneously. Open waters in freshwater lakes and large rivers.