Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758)

Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula is a duck of the family Anatidae that breeds across North America and the Palearctic, from Scotland and Scandinavia through subarctic Russia to Sakhalin and Kamchatka, and south into northern Kazakhstan, northern Mongolia and Heilongjiang, as well as from the west Alaskan mainland to Labrador and New Brunswick and south through the northern tier of the contiguous USA. It is a medium-sized sea duck with golden-yellow eyes. The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. It is known for being aggressive and territorial, and for its elaborate courtship displays.

Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans
Breeding range
North America, Palearctic: subarctic from Scotland and Scandinavia to Sakhalin and Kamchatka (se Russia), in s through n Kazakhstan, n Mongolia and Heilongjiang (ne China); w Alaskan mainland to Labrador and New Brunswick, in s through n tier of contiguous USA
Common Goldeneye
© TRinaud · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

7 tours in Poland 2, Canada 2, Czech Republic 1, Finland 1, Azerbaijan 1

Wilderness Day Escape: Sobieszewo Birdwatching
Wilderness Day Escape: Sobieszewo Birdwatching
Poland / Gdańsk Private tour 1 day

Spend eight hours exploring western Sobieszewo, from Cold War bunkers in the woods to the Baltic shore and bird hides of Ptasi Raj....

Winter Wildlife Trail: Baltic Birds and Tracks
Winter Wildlife Trail: Baltic Birds and Tracks
Poland / Gdańsk Private tour 1 day

Look for winter birds and animal tracks on a private four-to-five-hour walk through the woods and coast of Ptasi Raj, with a warm drink alon...

Private Nové Mlýny Winter Birding with Petr Suvorov
Private Nové Mlýny Winter Birding with Petr Suvorov
Czech Republic / Brno Private tour

Scan the Nové Mlýny reservoirs with Petr Suvorov on a private winter outing shaped around open water, goose movements and the available da...

Horned Grebe Helsinki Wetlands Birding Tour
Horned Grebe Helsinki Wetlands Birding Tour
Finland / Helsinki Private tour 6h

A six-hour private wetland outing from May to mid-July, linking two Helsinki-area birding sites on foot and by tram and metro....

From EUR 185
Private Shirvan National Park Birdwatching with Elchin Sultanov
Private Shirvan National Park Birdwatching with Elchin Sultanov
Azerbaijan / Salyan Private tour 1 day

A private, inquiry-based birding day in Shirvan National Park with Azerbaijani ornithologist and long-time bird guide Elchin Sultanov....

Saskatoon Winter Birdwatching Tour 2026
Saskatoon Winter Birdwatching Tour 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 2h

A two-hour winter birdwatching tour through Saskatoon parks, combining gentle walking with driving between current songbird and waterbird si...

From CAD 65
Weir Birding and Walking Tour in Saskatoon’s river valley 2026
Weir Birding and Walking Tour in Saskatoon’s river valley 2026
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 2h

A private two-hour walk beside Saskatoon’s weir, using a spotting scope for river birds before exploring the wooded riverbank for songbird...

From CAD 130