Birds

During its courtship display in late winter, the male his head forward along the water and then snaps it rapidly upwards over his back, bill pointed skyward, while uttering a shrill, two- noted call. Then he swings his orange feet forard, sending up a small shower in front of him. The wings of this species produce a loud whistling sound in flight, easily identified even when the bird cannot be seen; Hunters call this species the "Whistler." Wintering in small groups or large flocks, goldeneyes feed mainly on mollusks; in summer, their diet shifts to aquatic plants and insects.

Common Goldeneye

Description	16-20". Male has white body; black-appering (actually glossy greenish) head, and large, round, white spot in front of eye; eye bright yellow. Female grayish, with warm-brown head, white neck ring, and dark bill. Both sexes have distinctive puffy head shape and large white wing patch, conspicuous in flight.
Voice	Courtship call of male a high-pitched jee-ep! Females utter a low squak.
Habitat	Breeds on wodded lakes and ponds; winters mostly on coastal bays and estuaries.
Nesting	8-12 pale green eggs in a mass of down in a natural tree cavity, up to 60' above ground.
Other	During its courtship display in late winter, the male his head forward along the water and then snaps it rapidly upwards over his back, bill pointed skyward, while uttering a shrill, two- noted call. Then he swings his orange feet forard, sending up a small shower in front of him. The wings of this species produce a loud whistling sound in flight, easily identified even when the bird cannot be seen; Hunters call this species the "Whistler." Wintering in small groups or large flocks, goldeneyes feed mainly on mollusks; in summer, their diet shifts to aquatic plants and insects.
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Common Goldeneye