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Female
Barrow's Goldeneye in Peterborough, Ontario |
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This female Barrow's Goldeneye is wintering with about 20 Common
Goldeneyes on the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario. Here it
is compared to a female Common Goldeneye. First found by Iain Rayner
and Matt Garvin on 27 January 2020 at Millennium Park. Charmaine
Anderson and I observed it under beautiful conditions on 29 January
2020. |
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VIDEO: Female Barrow's Goldeneye in Peterborough |
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It has an orange bill with black at the base. The
distinct Barrow's shaped head peaks towards the front and sticks out
at the back like a mane. Its eye colour is green, indicating its a
first winter bird. It acquired this eye colour at about 5 months of
age. Adults females have a pale yellow eye, whereas males have a
bright yellow eye. Peterborough, Ontario on 29 January 2020. |
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Female Barrow's at back has a darker head colour. Its bill is
shorter and stubbier than on Common. Peterborough, Ontario on 29
Janaury 2020. |
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The ducks were diving constantly in the swift current of the
Otonabee River. Barrow`s Goldeneyes love this habitat. We we
wondered what they were eating. A check of the Birds of North
America on line said that they eat a variety of crustacean, such
as crayfish and mussels. They also eat vegetation, larvae and fish
eggs and small fish. Peterborough, Ontario, on 29 January 2020. |
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Further Reading Link to
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Bill Colour and identification of
Female Barrow`s Goldeneye PDF
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Bruce Di Labio, Ron Pittaway and Peter Burke |
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