American (Common) Goldeneye   (Glaucionetta clangula americana)

• Named for the bright golden eyes of both sexes
• This species has a round white facial spot and greenish head sheen compared to a white crescent of its near relative, the Barrow’s Goldeneye, that has a purple head sheen

                                                    American Goldeneye

                                                Bucephala clangula americana

Habitat: The American goldeney winters on the Pacific coast from Alaska to California, and througout the United States.  They spend their summers througout Alaska and Canada.  These birds prefer forested lakes or rivers, in winter they can be found in salt bays and ocean coasts. 

Miscellaneous: If the American goldeneye is being persued by a preditor, they can dive down into the water and appear 100 yards away and immediatly take off flying close to the water.