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That Nest in Birdhouses70birds
That Nest in BirdhousesCommon Goldeneye
(Whistle-Wing, Whistler, Greathead, Garrot)
Bucephala clangula
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: clangula
La. anser goose
La. forma form, shape, kind
Gr. anous foolish
La. anas duck
La. idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. bous ox
iGr. kephale head
Gr. boukephalos bull-headed, large-headed
La. clangere to resound (whistling wings)
About twenty inches long. Large black head and black back with iridescent green tinge. The remainder is white. A white patch on each side between the eyes and the bill.
Common goldeneyes inhabit the northern regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The Common Goldeneye nests in the northern U.S., southern Alaska and most of Canada and winters throughout Canada and as far south as California, Texas, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. In Europe, Goldeneyes migrate south passing through Switzerland to Italy.
They are excellent swimmers, spending most of their time in the water except to nest when their poor walking abilities are revealed. They look comical, walking in a jerky motion slapping their huge webbed feet their wings extended often falling over if hurried.
Common goldeneyes dive for fish, frogs, shell fish, tender plant roots and seeds. They also eat various invertebrates including insects and their larvae which are common in ponds and lakes and later metamorphose into millions of flying adults.
They tolerate cold weather well being driven 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.
Common goldeneyes build nests of grass, leaves, feathers and moss lined with down in deep cavities of decaying trees near rivers and fresh water lakes.
Females lay six to twelve ashy green eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. Ducklings are led to water within a day or two after hatching and immediately begin learning to swim and dive for insect larvae, minnows and snails. They learn to fly at about two months.
Common Goldeneye Nest Box
The common goldeneye nest box has a 12″ by 12″ floor, 22″ inside floor to ceiling, 5″ wide by 4″ high entrance hole located 19″ above the floor (to the top of the hole) and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof. 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.
Common Goldeneye Nest Box
View/Print Plans
Common Goldeneye
(Whistle-Wing, Whistler, Greathead, Garrot)
Bucephala clangula
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: clangula
La. anser goose
La. forma form, shape, kind
Gr. anous foolish
La. anas duck
La. idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. bous ox
iGr. kephale head
Gr. boukephalos bull-headed, large-headed
La. clangere to resound (whistling wings)
About twenty inches long. Large black head and black back with iridescent green tinge. The remainder is white. A white patch on each side between the eyes and the bill.
Common goldeneyes inhabit the northern regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The Common Goldeneye nests in the northern U.S., southern Alaska and most of Canada and winters throughout Canada and as far south as California, Texas, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. In Europe, Goldeneyes migrate south passing through Switzerland to Italy.
They are excellent swimmers, spending most of their time in the water except to nest when their poor walking abilities are revealed. They look comical, walking in a jerky motion slapping their huge webbed feet their wings extended often falling over if hurried.
Common goldeneyes dive for fish, frogs, shell fish, tender plant roots and seeds. They also eat various invertebrates including insects and their larvae which are common in ponds and lakes and later metamorphose into millions of flying adults.
They tolerate cold weather well being driven 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.
Common goldeneyes build nests of grass, leaves, feathers and moss lined with down in deep cavities of decaying trees near rivers and fresh water lakes.
Females lay six to twelve ashy green eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. Ducklings are led to water within a day or two after hatching and immediately begin learning to swim and dive for insect larvae, minnows and snails. They learn to fly at about two months.
Common Goldeneye Nest Box
The common goldeneye nest box has a 12″ by 12″ floor, 22″ inside floor to ceiling, 5″ wide by 4″ high entrance hole located 19″ above the floor (to the top of the hole) and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof. 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.
Common Goldeneye Nest Box
View/Print Plans
Common Goldeneye
(Whistle-Wing, Whistler, Greathead, Garrot)
Birds | Birdhouses | Plans | Home
Bucephala clangula
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: clangula
La. anser goose
La. forma form, shape, kind
Gr. anous foolish
La. anas duck
La. idae appearance, resemblance
Gr. bous ox
iGr. kephale head
Gr. boukephalos bull-headed, large-headed
La. clangere to resound (whistling wings)
About twenty inches long. Large black head and black back with iridescent green tinge. The remainder is white. A white patch on each side between the eyes and the bill.
Common goldeneyes inhabit the northern regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The Common Goldeneye nests in the northern U.S., southern Alaska and most of Canada and winters throughout Canada and as far south as California, Texas, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. In Europe, Goldeneyes migrate south passing through Switzerland to Italy.
They are excellent swimmers, spending most of their time in the water except to nest when their poor walking abilities are revealed. They look comical, walking in a jerky motion slapping their huge webbed feet their wings extended often falling over if hurried.
Common goldeneyes dive for fish, frogs, shell fish, tender plant roots and seeds. They also eat various invertebrates including insects and their larvae which are common in ponds and lakes and later metamorphose into millions of flying adults.
They tolerate cold weather well being driven 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.
Common goldeneyes build nests of grass, leaves, feathers and moss lined with down in deep cavities of decaying trees near rivers and fresh water lakes.
Females lay six to twelve ashy green eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. Ducklings are led to water within a day or two after hatching and immediately begin learning to swim and dive for insect larvae, minnows and snails. They learn to fly at about two months.
Common Goldeneye Nest Box
The common goldeneye nest box has a 12″ by 12″ floor, 22″ inside floor to ceiling, 5″ wide by 4″ high entrance hole located 19″ above the floor (to the top of the hole) and ventilation openings in the floor and under the roof.
Make a Side Opening Door for easy access.
Common 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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