Common Goldeneye

Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Uncommon bird: +3 points when you log it.

Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Lakes, lochs, sheltered coast.
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates.
Best time to spot: Whistling wingbeats audible far off.

When to look

A winter visitor, typically in the UK from October through to April. Numbers peak in January. See the January birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in UK winter wildfowl.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

How rare is it?

The Common Goldeneye sits in our Uncommon tier for the UK: regular, but you usually need the right place or the right season. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Common Goldeneye is on the list:

• Islay
• RSPB Loch Garten
• Rutland Water

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• BuffleheadLegendary · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
• Barrow's GoldeneyeLegendary · Lakes
• Red-throated DiverUncommon · Lochs (summer); coast (winter)
• Double-crested CormorantLegendary · Lakes
• Great CormorantCommon · Coast
• Pallas's GullLegendary · Lakes

Kit that helps

Best spotting scopes for UK birding. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.