Barrow's Goldeneye (pair)

Description:

A sea duck that breeds near wooded lakes in northwestern North America, some areas of eastern Canada, and Iceland. This species overwinters on the coast and in lakes with open water. Like other Bucephala ducks, the Barrow's Goldeneye nest in trees, often in holes created by pileated woodpeckers.

Notes:

Distinguished from the closely related common goldeneye with males of Barrow's having a teardrop shaped white patch in front of the eyes and the commons having a circular patch. Additionally, male Barrow's have a purplish sheen on their heads rather than green and a different pattern of white on their closed wings. Female Barrow's often have a fully yellow bill as opposed to most commons, which have only a yellow tip. In the occasional female common without a yellow tip, the Barrow's can be told apart with its steeper forehead. Comparison picture in second shot, where female common goldeneye is swimming in the foreground.