Barrow’s Goldeneye is one of our Northwest winter specialties. It winters in Pacific coastal waters from Kodiak, AK to Puget Sound with smaller numbers south to northern California. Birders traveling to the Pacific Northwest are anxious to see this striking duck.
Harlequin Duck
The Pacific Harlequin is the only duck in the world that divides its time between oceans and mountains. It spends summers in turbulent mountain streams and winters in rocky coastal waters. Weighing only 1 ½ pounds, a harlequin, 16-18” in length, is about half the size of a wild mallard. The four letter code is HARL.
Brant
Hooded Merganser
Canada and Cackling Goose
Mitochondrial DNA study of the Canada Goose has resulted in two matriarchal size-related species of very similar looking geese. The Canada Goose is now the larger-bodied group which breeds in mid-range latitudes of the northern hemisphere. The Cackling Goose is the smaller-bodied group which breeds in the tundra region.
Red-breasted Merganser
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Common Goldeneye
Northern Shoveler
Snow Goose
Canvasback
The Canvasback stands out from the crowd. Its stately presence separates it from other ducks. It has been called “the aristocrat of ducks” (Mobray), and “elegant” (Alderfer). Its large size, sloping forehead and characteristic “dark at both ends and white in the middle” appearance (Bell and Kennedy) make it easy to pick out of a group of other ducks.