Common Goldeneye

Description:

Adult,male Common Goldeneye

Habitat:

On an area of river near a dam that helps keep the water open during extremely cold temperatures when other areas tend to freeze over

Notes:

Sitting on a bank of the river near a dam waiting for a large gathering of Swans to return, three adult male Common Goldeneyes flew in and landed near me. This male appeared to be overly territorial or aggressive, chasing off one of the other males by rapidly swimming low in the water with bill out directly at the male in his disfavor. Once the offending male flew away, he calmed down and sat peacefully bobbing in the river currents. They paid me very little attention until I stood up (due to uncomfortably close proximity of approaching Mink) at which point both remaining Goldeneyes took flight, ending up further down the river.