Common Goldeneye Duck - Duck Hunting - Wetland Hunting

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Common Goldeneye Duck

 

Description

The common goldeneye ducks are usually medium-sized with large heads. Their bills are fairly small and narrow sloping downwards from the face to make the head have a triangular shape. The goldeneyes are diving ducks with short tails and streamlined bodies.

An adult male has a triangular head, a sloping bill with a white body and windows along with their folded wings. Their head is iridescent green (although it looks black) with a round white spot that's behind the bill.

Females are grayish-brown with triangular heads and sloping bills. Their heads are brown thus contrast their gray body. The bill is mainly black with a yellow tip. The length of common goldeneye ducks ranges between 40 and 51 cm, weighs 600 – 1300g and has a wingspan of 77-83 cm.

Habitat
These birds nest in tree cavities in boreal forests although they spend their winters in protected coastal waters and large inland rivers, salt bays, and lakes.

Diet
Although diet varies with season and habitat, these game birds feed on crustaceans like shrimps, crabs, amphipods, etc. Mollusks, leeches, frogs, marine worms, and small fishes also constitute the diet. In summer, aquatic insects are the main diet since small fishes are not available with plan material supplementing the diet. Foraging is mainly underwater although they dabble in shallow waters.

Nesting
Mating pairs are formed in late winter with several males courting one female. The courtship displays include a ritualized head pumping, throwing the head far back with their bill pointed up while producing a shrill sound. At times, short flights characterized by exaggerated take offs and landing are displayed.

These birds nest in large tree cavities that are 5 – 60' above the ground. Sometimes, the goldeneye ducks nest in abandoned or nest boxes. The nest is mainly a depression lined with wood chips. If the nests are scarce, goldeneye females lay eggs in each other's nests.

Eggs
These birds lay 8-11 olive green to blue-green eggs although they can range between 5 and 17 sometimes. Incubation is by the females only for 29 to 30 days. The young ducklings leave the nest after 1 – 2 days, led to feeding grounds by females although they feed on their own. After 56 – 66 days, the ducklings can start making short flights.


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