Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) |
This wonderfully expressive duck is a winter
visitor to the UK having migrated south from its breeding grounds. Small
resident populations have bred in Scotland since 1970. The males can
often be seen on large lakes usually in small mixed groups performing
their courtship displays. They are medium sized diving ducks that feed
on a diet of mussels, insect larvae, small fish and plants. |
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The photo below shows the courtship display and
mating of the goldeneye. During this time the male will regularly throw
his head back for several seconds in order to impress a likely female.
This is something that he will repeat over and over again. Below this
male Goldeneye is showing a more threatening posture. |
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Juvenile Goldeneyes being reared
in the nursery at Martinmere. |
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November 2005 and the juveniles
above are beginning to look more like adults now. |
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January 2006 one of the females
raised last summer. |
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