Brent Goose vs Common Goldeneye
Branta bernicla compared with Bucephala clangula
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brent Goose | Common Goldeneye |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Branta bernicla | Bucephala clangula |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.9 cm (25.2 in) | 41.7 cm (16.4 in) |
| Weight | 1335.0 g (47.09 oz) | 921.0 g (32.49 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily herbivorous; grazes aquatic plants, grasses, and sedges; swans upend in shallow water for submerged … | Dives for aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. Forages in lakes, rivers, and coastal … |
| Clutch Size | 1-10 | 1-28 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Brent Goose
Breeds on high-Arctic tundra; winters on estuaries, coastal mudflats, saltmarshes, and sea-grass beds along Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. One of the most strictly coastal wintering geese.
Song & Call Comparison
Brent Goose
A low, guttural 'rronk' or 'ronk-ronk' from flocks. Soft nasal calls in feeding groups. A subtle, understated call for a goose — less loud than most Anser geese.
Common Goldeneye
Male emits a buzzy, insect-like zeee-zeee-zeee wing whistle; female gives a grating quack. The mechanical wing-whistle produced by the male in display flight is the species' most distinctive sound.
Geographic Range & Migration
Brent Goose
Breeds across boreal and subarctic Canada and Alaska; winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Common Goldeneye
Breeds across boreal forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. Winters on coasts and large lakes south to the Mediterranean and the Gulf states.
Conservation Status
Brent Goose
Common Goldeneye
How to Tell Them Apart
Brent Goose
Small; mostly black head, neck, and breast. Small white neck-patch on adults. Back dark brownish-gray; belly pale gray to white depending on subspecies. White undertail coverts. Sexes similar.
Common Goldeneye
Male has glossy green-black head with round white spot at bill base; body white with black back and scapulars; yellow eye. Female has chocolate-brown head, white collar, and grey body.
About These Birds
Brent Goose
A small dark-bodied goose with a black head and neck, small white neck patches, and pale grey belly. Migrates between high-Arctic breeding grounds and temperate coastal wintering areas. Feeds on eel-grass and saltmarsh vegetation in winter. Three subspecies differ in belly coloration.
Common Goldeneye
A medium-sized diving duck (~920 g) of family Anatidae, males with iridescent green heads and a round white cheek spot. Breeds near boreal lakes and rivers, nesting in tree cavities across Eurasia and North America; winters on coastal and inland waters. Dives for invertebrates, fish, and plant matter. Least Concern with widespread distribution.