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That Nest in BirdhousesBarrow’s Goldeneye
(Rocky Mountain Garrot)
Bucephala islandica
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: islandica
La. anser goose
La. forma form, shape, kind
Gr. anous foolish
La. anas duck
La. idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. bous ox
Gr. kephale head
Gr. boukephalos bull-headed, large-headed
La. islandica island
About twenty inches long. Dark purple iridescent head and throat. Black back. White breast and underside. White wing coverts and additional irregular spots. White crescent moon-shaped spot on each side of the head between the bill and the eyes.
Barrow’s goldeneyes raise their broods in the far north – Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland, the furthest south being in the mountains of Wyoming and Oregon, in the east as far south as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They winter as far south as California, New Mexico, the Great Lakes region and Massachusetts.
They dive for fish, frogs, shell fish and tender plant roots and seeds. They also eat insects.
They tolerate cold weather well being driven south only by frozen water. They migrate in small flocks sometimes with other duck species. Their wings produce a rhythmic whistling in flight, otherwise they are silent birds.
Barrow’s goldeneyes build nests of fine twigs and moss lined with down in decaying tree or stump hollows, or in rock crevices near water.
Females lay six to ten pale bluish eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. Ducklings are led to water at a very young age and fly at about two months age.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Nest Box
The Barrow’s goldeneye nest box (same as for kestrels and screech owls) has an 8″ by 8″ floor, 15″ inside floor to ceiling, 3″ diameter entrance hole located 12″ above the floor and ventilation openings in the floor and under the ceiling. Make a Side Door.
Please do not attract duck families and leave them vulnerable to predators. Significant reduction in predation has been achieved through proper location, installation and protection from predators.
Duck nest box management best practices have so drastically reduced duckling mortality that it's probably unwise to do it any other way. It's even easier. Metal posts, cone guards, near the water, above ground, within reach, side opening doors. No ladders or boats. Easier, safer, best success rates.
Visit the Wood Duck Society. Follow their tested and proven best practices.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Nest Box
View/Print Plans
Barrow’s Goldeneye
(Rocky Mountain Garrot)
Bucephala islandica
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: islandica
La. anser goose
La. forma form, shape, kind
Gr. anous foolish
La. anas duck
La. idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. bous ox
Gr. kephale head
Gr. boukephalos bull-headed, large-headed
La. islandica island
About twenty inches long. Dark purple iridescent head and throat. Black back. White breast and underside. White wing coverts and additional irregular spots. White crescent moon-shaped spot on each side of the head between the bill and the eyes.
Barrow’s goldeneyes raise their broods in the far north – Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland, the furthest south being in the mountains of Wyoming and Oregon, in the east as far south as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They winter as far south as California, New Mexico, the Great Lakes region and Massachusetts.
They dive for fish, frogs, shell fish and tender plant roots and seeds. They also eat insects.
They tolerate cold weather well being driven south only by frozen water. They migrate in small flocks sometimes with other duck species. Their wings produce a rhythmic whistling in flight, otherwise they are silent birds.
Barrow’s goldeneyes build nests of fine twigs and moss lined with down in decaying tree or stump hollows, or in rock crevices near water.
Females lay six to ten pale bluish eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. Ducklings are led to water at a very young age and fly at about two months age.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Nest Box
The Barrow’s goldeneye nest box (same as for kestrels and screech owls) has an 8″ by 8″ floor, 15″ inside floor to ceiling, 3″ diameter entrance hole located 12″ above the floor and ventilation openings in the floor and under the ceiling. Make a Side Door.
Please do not attract duck families and leave them vulnerable to predators. Significant reduction in predation has been achieved through proper location, installation and protection from predators.
Duck nest box management best practices have so drastically reduced duckling mortality that it's probably unwise to do it any other way. It's even easier. Metal posts, cone guards, near the water, above ground, within reach, side opening doors. No ladders or boats. Easier, safer, best success rates.
Visit the Wood Duck Society. Follow their tested and proven best practices.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Nest Box
View/Print Plans
Barrow’s Goldeneye
(Rocky Mountain Garrot)
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home
Bucephala islandica
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: islandica
La. anser goose
La. forma form, shape, kind
Gr. anous foolish
La. anas duck
La. idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. bous ox
Gr. kephale head
Gr. boukephalos bull-headed, large-headed
La. islandica island
About twenty inches long. Dark purple iridescent head and throat. Black back. White breast and underside. White wing coverts and additional irregular spots. White crescent moon-shaped spot on each side of the head between the bill and the eyes.
Barrow’s goldeneyes raise their broods in the far north – Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland, the furthest south being in the mountains of Wyoming and Oregon, in the east as far south as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They winter as far south as California, New Mexico, the Great Lakes region and Massachusetts.
They dive for fish, frogs, shell fish and tender plant roots and seeds. They also eat insects.
They tolerate cold weather well being driven south only by frozen water. They migrate in small flocks sometimes with other duck species. Their wings produce a rhythmic whistling in flight, otherwise they are silent birds.
Barrow’s goldeneyes build nests of fine twigs and moss lined with down in decaying tree or stump hollows, or in rock crevices near water.
Females lay six to ten pale bluish eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. Ducklings are led to water at a very young age and fly at about two months age.
Barrow’s Goldeneye Nest Box
The Barrow’s goldeneye nest box (same as for kestrels and screech owls) has an 8″ by 8″ floor, 15″ inside floor to ceiling, 3″ diameter entrance hole located 12″ above the floor and ventilation openings in the floor and under the ceiling.
Make a Side Opening Door for easy access.
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Nest Box Plans
Duck nest box management best practices have so drastically reduced duckling mortality that it's probably unwise to do it any other way. It's even easier. Metal posts, cone guards, near the water, above ground, within reach, side opening doors. No ladders or boats. Easier, safer, best success rates.
Visit the Wood Duck Society. Follow their tested and proven best practices.
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