If you are on the shore of a lake or pond or even at the Ilwaco harbor and you hear some rather loud whistling, look up or at the water to see whether a duck is taking off! The common goldeneye is in town. The wings of the goldeneye produce a loud whistling sound in flight. The male is the loudest whistler, while the female goldeneye’s wings make a quieter, softer whistle. Hence, the common goldeneye is nicknamed “the whistler”

The common goldeneye is about the size of a crow. The male is basically black and white. The dark head often shows off an iridescence of very dark, green or purple depending on the light. The male sports a white circular spot between its deep yellow, golden eye and its dark bill. The female is mainly grey with a brown head. She also has a golden eye but it is more of a light yellow in color.

The common goldeneye is a diving duck so it searches for its meals underwater. Its favorites are aquatic invertebrates and insects. However, on occasion, small fish and vegetation are also eaten.

The female goldeneye has an interesting practice of laying some of her eggs in other female goldeneyes’ nests. She will also lay eggs in the nest of other species such as the Hooded merganser. The female is also a bird of habit in that she often returns to the same nesting site year after year. She nests in tree cavities or man made nesting boxes located near ponds, lakes, rivers or marshy areas.

The goldeneye is uncommon in Pacific County and in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. There is currently at least one male common goldeneye at the Ilwaco harbor. Other places to check include Black Lake, the Tarlatt Unit ponds on 85th and the Chinook harbor. If you hear whistling in the air above you, check out the sound because it may be “the whistler” on the wing.