Description: It is a heavyset duck of an average size. In the spring, the cock duck displays contrasting coloration combining black and white. The main distinguishing features are the broad white reflecting streaks over the secondary quills, expanding on over almost to the front edge of the wing; the big round head, black with a green shine; the round white spot on the check between the beak and the eye. Body length is 42-50 cm.
Habitat: Goldeneye is closely tied to forest water-bodies, since it nests almost exclusively in tree hollows – abandoned dwellings of black woodpeckers, natural caverns, and sometimes quite high – up to 15 m. As of recent years, it is few in number.
/ * The photos at lake.peipsi.org are cross-posted from commons.wikimedia.org and are used for familiarization purposes only. No commercial use of the photos is allowed. For more information about to use the photos see the originals on commons.wikimedia.org. /
