Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Other references:
B138

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B96, B97, B108, B129
D1, D8

• Wildlife and Countryside Directorate, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
• British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
• The Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Earthkind
• The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

• Waterfowl Management Guidelines
• Proceedings of the Waterfowl Information Network Conference 1999
• Wetlands, Industry and Wildlife
• London Waterfowl Project FAQ's
• The Electronic Library: further reading for "Wildlife: Oil Spill Response"

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Seaducks

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Seaducks are generally winter-hardy and sociable. They are preferably kept on a large area of clean, cold, deep water, at least some of which (preferably half the area) should be more than 60cm and preferably more than1m deep. As with other diving ducks, most species are relatively ungainly on land and ponds should have shallow sloping banks. Some cover along the pond edges will generally be appreciated. Preferred nesting sites vary greatly within this group, from open ground nesting to thick vegetation and tree holes.
• Diets of grain, pellets fish and seafood may be used, also bread. These ducks generally need a higher-protein diet than most waterfowl species and high-protein pelleted diets specifically designed for seaducks are now available, although supplementation with fish may still be important particularly for breeding.
• Feeding in troughs containing stones may avoid the development of overgrown bills. Provision of salt water may decrease the incidence of fungal and other infections.
• Ducklings may be given high-protein starter crumbs and live food, and provided with access to deep water for swimming from an early age.

(B7, B29, B40, B94, B129, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Common goldeneye are winter-hardy; a large area of deep (80 cm plus), cold, clear and preferably running water is important, and ice-free water should be available in winter. They are generally considered sociable, although drakes may fight with each other in breeding season, and can be aggressive to other ducks on small ponds while breeding. Mixtures of pellets (including trout pellets) and insectivorous diet as well as grain, fish, meal worms, duckweed has been recommended previously in the absence of specialised diets.
• These ducks are fairly easy to breed, breeding regularly in some collections. Seclusion and both ground-level and raised nest boxes should be provided; raised boxes overhanging water are preferred. Laying may occur: from mid-March , often with a second clutch if the first is removed (B31); March to May (European goldeneye), April to May (American goldeneye) (B29); usually May (European goldeneye)(B108).
• Hand rearing of the ducklings is suggested, preferably in groups, with access to water. Ducklings are delicate and easily stressed; daphnia, mealworms and other live food suggested for initial rearing of ducklings, as well as duckweed and rearing food .
• Hybrids have been reported with mergansers and diving ducks (B31); with Mergus serrator - Red-breasted merganser, other Mergus species, Aix sponsa - Wood duck Aythya spp. and Melanitta fusca - White-winged scoter (B97).

(B29, B30, B31, B94, B96, B97, B108)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: L11.0mm (D8).

• Accommodation of Casualty Waterfowl
• Rearing of Birds - Artificial Rearing - Waterfowl considerations
• Catching and Handling of Waterfowl
• Feeding of Casualty Waterfowl
• Release of Casualty Waterfowl
• See also: Oil Spill: Species Identification and Special Considerations

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Wing black with white patch: black primaries, primary coverts, tertials and leading edge, white secondaries, greater and median coverts.

Eclipse: Similar to female but retains wing pattern.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Bill: brownish.
Feet: yellowish.

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Independent before fledging.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

• London: In the London Area, "common winter visitor, occasional summer records." Peak counts at some locations number tens to more than 100 (e.g. Staines Reservoir in 2000). (J322.65.w1)

Migrates to winter in coastal waters and on lakes from south-west Iceland to northern coasts of Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, also Asia.

Bucephala clangula americana North America from Alaska to Labrador. Winters from Aleutian islands Canadian border and Gulf of St Lawrence to Californian Gulf, Mexican Gulf, Georgia south to Florida.

Vagrants to Azores, Morocco, Algeria, Malta, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, northern India, Nepal, Burma, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Greenland, Faeroes.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Abundant (B1).

• This species is listed on Schedule 1 - Part 2 (Birds protected by special penalties: Notes on the revised schedules state "Birds and their eggs protected by special penalties during the close season, 1 February to 31 August (21 February to 31 August below high water mark) but which may be killed or taken at other times") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)
• This species is listed on Schedule 2 - Part I (Birds which may be killed or taken outside the close season, 1 February to 31 August except where indicated otherwise: Notes on the revised schedules state "NOTE: The close season for ducks and geese when below high water mark is 21 February to 31 August") of the LUK2 - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of the United Kingdom. (W5.Oct01)

Captive Populations

Trade