CLOSED: Duck this late in the season?

Is this a Goldeneye duck. This is on a river. And do they usually stay this late in the season?


Edited to change spelling

This message was edited Dec 7, 2008 3:15 PM

It's called a "goldeneye"*. A small number will stay all winter, even in colder zones than yours, as long as open water remains.

EDIT: *Sorry, correcting the name may seem picky, but, for example, a "yellowthroat" and a "yellow-throated warbler" are two different species of warblers. At least we can be glad that common names of birds are a lot more standardized than those of plants, LOL!



This message was edited Dec 6, 2008 9:05 PM

Female Hooded Merganser - the bill is too long and thin for a Goldeneye, also it has the characteristic 'punk hairdo' of Hooded Merg.

As long as there is open water available, they'll stay.

Resin

Yeah, as I copy it to my own computer and zoom in, I guess I have to agree.

Thanks, that's a new one for me. I was surprise, there was still some around. But glad to know they can stick around all winter. That river has a good flow to it, it should be open in some area.
Thanks for the correction on the way it is spell. I'll change that.