Barrows or Common Goldeneye

[cathyo]

Seen at Browne Creek last weekend.  I am guessing this is a female Barrows Goldeneye?

duck, barrows goldeneye 16-2-14 browne 242 by Cathy Oss, on Flickr

duck, barrows goldeneye 16-2-14 browne 170 by Cathy Oss, on Flickr

duck, barrows goldeneye 16-2-14 browne 170 by Cathy Oss, on Flickr

Thanks for the help

Cathy

[Jamie]

I think you're right! Nice shot too.

[gabi]

Now I am confused.... I took this pic and thought it was a common?= based on color of bill?  At FishTrap Creek

[Gord]

I would say both are Common Goldeneyes. While beak colour can be a helpful clue some Common Goldeneye hens can have a bit more colour and approach what we'd expect to see on a Barrow's. Look at head shape and the bill to help out. Barrow's bills are shorter and shaped a bit differently. Combined with a more blocky head-shape this will show, with some practice and experience, a different feel. Below is a hen Barrow's I took in Chilliwack a few years ago in the late winter.

[gabi]

Thanks much - very helpful... and I appreciate your care and attention - learning lots!

[Jamie]

Those female goldeneyes are confusing! I thought that Cathy's bird was a Barrow's Goldeneye because of its bill color. I guess that there are more factors that determine the difference between the Barrow's and Common Goldeneye, such as bill size and how it attaches to the head.

[marcina]

Feb 29, 2016 0:38:40 GMT -8 gabi said:

Now I am confused.... I took this pic and thought it was a common?= based on color of bill?  At FishTrap Creek

That one at Fishtrap is definitely a Common Goldeneye. I remember watching it and photographing it when it first appeared in Feb. I looked up the differences between Common and Barrow's Goldeneye hens right there in the field so I could check off the correct species on my E-bird app. Yesterday afternoon, I saw the male Common Goldeneye too!