Barrow's Goldeneye

 There are two species of goldeneye ducks, the common goldeneye and the Barrow's goldeneye. As their name would suggest the common goldeneye has a much wider range and is more commonly seen. The common goldeneye is a circumpolar species that nests up in the taiga regions of North America, Europe and Asia. The Barrow's goldeneye, pictured above, is found primarily in western Canada, Alaska and the north western United States. There is also a secondary population that nests in north eastern Canada and Iceland. The Barrow's goldeneye was named after Sir John Barrow who promoted much of the early explorational voyages into the Canadian Arctic when he served in the Admiralty during the early 1800's.  Both species of goldeneye are cavity nesters and will nest in tree cavities or nesting boxes. Young chicks leave the nest with in days of hatching and have to jump from the nest cavity. This photo was taken at Yellowstone National Park.