The common goldeneye drake is a strikingly handsome black-and-white diver about the size of a greater scaup.

Goldeneyes are strong, fast flyers nicknamed "Whistlers" for the sound of their primaries as they zoom past on a still day.

Drakes have a black head with a white spot below and in front of the eye, white neck, breast and flanks and a black back and tail. Hens have a brown head, light neck, breast and belly, brown backs and flanks.

They are fairly silent and usually alone or in small groups. They tend to remain apart from other ducks.

It is an extremely rare summer visitor in northeastern Oregon and casual to rare in summer in the Klamath Basin. It is a common spring and fall migrant in northeastern Oregon and in winter on the Snake River, the entire course of the Columbia River, and the Klamath River.

Hear the call of the common goldeneye

Photo by Kathy Munsel, ODFW