Photo: Donna Dewhurst / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Bucephala islandica
Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 921 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Bucephala
- Species islandica
Where it lives
Central, southwestern Alaska through western Canada south to northwestern USA southeast to Oregon and Colorado; northeastern Quebec and southwestern, northern Labrador; Iceland
Quick facts
- Weight
- 921 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Barrow’s Goldeneye hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Barrow’s Goldeneye is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) is a species of bird in the Anatidae family, part of the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers NA, PAL c, sw Alaska through w Canada s to nw USA se to Oregon and Colorado; ne Quebec and sw, n Labrador; Iceland.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 921 g, with a wing length of about 22.2 cm and a tail of around 8.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Barrow’s Goldeneye?
The Barrow’s Goldeneye is a very large bird that weighs around 921 g.
Where does the Barrow’s Goldeneye live?
The Barrow’s Goldeneye is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering NA, PAL c, sw Alaska through w Canada s to nw USA se to Oregon and Colorado; ne Quebec and sw, n Labrador; Iceland, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Barrow’s Goldeneye belong to?
The Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Barrow’s Goldeneye eat?
The Barrow’s Goldeneye hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Barrow’s Goldeneye migrate?
The Barrow’s Goldeneye is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Barrow’s Goldeneye endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Barrow’s Goldeneye make?
1 real field recording of the Barrow’s Goldeneye can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Barrow’s Goldeneye's range?
The Barrow’s Goldeneye has a mapped global range of about 2.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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