Hi -
I agree that the head and bill shapes look more like Barrow's than Common.
However, the white facial patch fills in irregularly on young males, and in at
least some Commons, the anterior edge fills in first, giving a Barrow's like
impression. On yours, the white maybe extends a bit too high for Common, but if
so, barely. (Wow that's an ugly sentence!)
At an earlier stage, the first things that I see to tell young males from
females as the enter molt are appearance of white on the throat, and reduction
of yellow on the bill.
Wayne
From: "David Irons" <llsdirons@xxxxxxx>
To: "Mike Patterson" <celata@xxxxxxxxxxxx>, "obol" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2016 3:13:22 PM
Subject: [obol] Re: Interesting plumage goldeneye
Mike,
That is what I would call this bird. First winter male goldeneyes often present
this mostly female-like appearance. In recent weeks, I've seen a number of
first-winter male Common Goldeneyes that looked very much like this one, aside
from the difference in head shape and white facial spot.
Dave Irons
Portland, OR
To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; swalalahos@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: celata@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [obol] Interesting plumage goldeneye
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2016 15:08:33 -0800
While unsuccessfully chasing a (dubious) rarities report from
Ilwaco, Washington, I noted an interesting transitional BARROW'S
GOLDENEYE in the boat basin.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbalame/24486162341 ;
I presume this is a first winter male just now coming into adult
plumage...
also three MARBLED GODWITS
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbalame/24542286806 ;
--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
For which it stands...
http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/?p=3132 ;
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