Goldeneye ducks, with their striking green and white plumage and bright yellow eyes, are a treat to see for any birder. But just how rare are these beautiful waterfowl? In this article, we’ll examine the status and distribution of goldeneye ducks to determine if they should be considered a rare bird species.
What are goldeneye ducks?
There are two species of goldeneye duck – the common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and the Barrow’s goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). Both inhabit lakes, rivers, and coastal areas across northern North America, Europe, and Asia.
Key identifying features include:
- Bright yellow eyes
- Iridescent green head with white circular patch below eye
- Black and white body plumage
- Dark blue to black bill
The common goldeneye is larger and more widespread than the Barrow’s goldeneye. In flight, goldeneyes display bright white underwings and undersides contrasted against black wingtips.
Common goldeneye distribution and population
The common goldeneye has an extremely large range across the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. In North America, their breeding range extends across Alaska, Canada, and the northern U.S. states. They winter along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, the Great Lakes region, and southward into parts of the central United States and northern Mexico.
Globally, the common goldeneye’s population is estimated at over 1.5 million mature individuals. The species is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List due to its large and widespread population. While some local declines have occurred, their overall population remains stable, leading most experts to consider the common goldeneye as relatively common and not rare.
Barrow’s goldeneye distribution and population
The Barrow’s goldeneye has a more restricted range confined to northwestern North America. They breed in Alaska, western Canada, and the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. Most of the population winters along the Pacific coast from southern Alaska to Baja California.
Compared to the common goldeneye, the Barrow’s goldeneye has a much smaller global population estimated at only 130,000 mature individuals. However, their numbers are considered stable, and they maintain a large range. The IUCN Red List classifies the Barrow’s goldeneye as “Least Concern.”
While less abundant than the common goldeneye, the Barrow’s goldeneye population remains healthy enough that they are not considered globally threatened or endangered. Their restricted range does make them less common than their more widespread cousin.
Relative abundance in North America
To better understand the relative rarity of these two goldeneye species, we can examine data on their wintering populations in North America from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count:
Species | Estimated Population |
---|---|
Common goldeneye | 690,000 |
Barrow’s goldeneye | 115,000 |
As we can see, the common goldeneye is estimated to be around 6 times more abundant than the Barrow’s goldeneye in North America. However, both species number in the hundreds of thousands, indicating relatively robust populations.
Relative abundance at local scales
The Christmas Bird Count data gives us a broad continent-wide picture. To understand relative rarity at local levels, we can consult eBird checklists submitted by citizen scientist birders. These checklists allow us to compare goldeneye detections at popular birding hotspots. Here are sighting rates for two well-birded lakes:
Location | Common Goldeneye Detections | Barrow’s Goldeneye Detections |
---|---|---|
Lake Washington (Seattle, WA) | Detected in 22% of checklists | Detected in 2% of checklists |
Green Lake (Seattle, WA) | Detected in 15% of checklists | Detected in 1% of checklists |
These findings reflect the larger population difference between these species. The common goldeneye is detected 10-15 times more frequently than Barrow’s at these locations. The Barrow’s goldeneye is certainly less common locally, though annual sightings at these popular birding lakes confirm they remain present each winter.
Legal protections
Neither species of goldeneye has special legal protections or is considered threatened/endangered in North America. They are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act along with most native waterfowl. Hunting regulations are in place to ensure sustainable harvest of goldeneyes, which are popular game birds across their range.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Barrow’s goldeneye is less common and has a more limited range than the widespread common goldeneye, neither species is currently considered globally rare or threatened based on their large total population sizes. At local levels, the Barrow’s goldeneye is often 10-15 times less frequently observed than common goldeneyes. However, sightings throughout their range confirm that healthy populations of both species persist across North America. So while one species is certainly less common, goldeneye ducks as a group remain too widespread and abundant to be considered truly rare birds.