Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758)

		male female 1st winter male
2017-01-17 Ust-Kamenogorsk. Strelka. 2017-01-18 Ust-Kamenogorsk. Strelka.2016-12-20 Ust-Kamenogorsk. Strelka.	© Askar Isabekov © Askar Isabekov© Askar Isabekov

Distribution

Breeds in the middle parts of the Ural and Ilek rivers valleys, in Naurzum Reserve on Malyy Aksuat lake, in Kokchetav uplands, around Semipalatinsk, on Chernyy Irtysh river and in Southern Altai (Markakol lake). One brood recorded in upper Bukhtarma river and another on lake near Uryl village 23 June 2001. Widespread during migration. Rare wintering in southern and south-eastern Kazakhstan, that is on Sorbulak lake, where two birds recorded 15 December 2002 and 10-30 from November till April; in mild winters on Barsa-Kelmes Island in Aral Sea and also on Markakol lake. Two birds observed on Kyzylkol lake 20 April 2005.

Biology

Common breeding migrant. Inhabits forested lakes and slow flowing rivers with fish, both on steppes and in mountains up to 1700-1750 m in Altai. Appears very early; in southern areas migrates from end February to mid or end April; in northern areas from April to mid or end May. Migrates by day and by night in flocks of 10-30, rarely 100 birds. Nests in separate pairs in tree holes (Poplar, Birch, Larch) 2-10 m above ground, and very rarely on ground between tree roots or in rock faces. Without difficulty accepts wooden nest boxes. Female clears old nest from tree hole. Nest cup lined only with down. Clutches of 7-12 eggs in mid-May – mid-June. Female incubates 30 days and rears juveniles which hatches mid-June – mid-July. Males and unattached birds gather for moult on big lakes end May – early July. Autumn migration lasts from early September to end October – mid-November.

Subspecies

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.