Common and Barrow's Goldeneye

[Loring Danforth]

There were about 15 - 20 Goldeneye visible on both sides of the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge on the Androscoggin River between Lewiston and Auburn this afternoon (1/17/2020). There were approximately 8 female and 6 male Common Goldeneye. In addition there were 2 female Barrow's Goldeneye and one young eclipse or transitional plumage male Barrow's. The female Barrow's had much steeper foreheads and more bulging forcrowns than the Common. The female Barrow's alo had much yellow in the bill, but so did some of the female Common. Some of the male Common Goldeneyes were engaged in courtship displays, throwing their heads back, kicking back with their feet and uttering a "zee zee" call. 

Danny Danforth

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Loring M. Danforth

Telephone: 207-786-6081

Fax: 207-786-8333

4 Andrews Rd.

Bates College

Lewiston, ME 04240