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goldeneye

goldeneye

1 9.0
A diving duck with bright yellow eyes that lives in cold northern lakes
  • noun
  • /ˈɡoʊldənaɪ/
translation icon : pato buceador
  • As winter approached, several goldeneyes flocked to the lake, showcasing their beautiful plumage.

Examples

  • Divers—bluebills, redheads, goldeneyes, and bufflehead—are rolling, albeit slowly, onto Upper Midwest big waters.

    Blog text (23)
  • Up at Parsonage Reservoir, there was a single Goldeneye, but I did catch sight of two skeins of Pink-footed Geese (around 300 in total) heading southeast towards Rishton.

    Blog text (10)
  • During our birdwatching trip, we were thrilled to spot a goldeneye diving for fish in the icy waters.

  • The goldeneye is easily recognizable by its striking golden-yellow eyes and distinctive diving behavior.

Synonyms

whistler
vsgoldeneye
1 9.9

A fast-diving duck with bright eyes that lives near cold northern lakes

is the alternative common name for the same duck
Bucephela clangula
vsgoldeneye
  • Specialized
9.9

A diving duck with a large head and yellow eyes that lives in northern lakes

is the general name for the group rather than that single species
Bucephala
vsgoldeneye
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of diving ducks like the bufflehead and goldeneye

is the specific Arctic diving species rather than the broader genus
Barrow's goldeneye
vsgoldeneye
  • US
9.5

A North American diving duck with a white patch on its face and bright yellow eyes

is the wider Arctic duck type, not this specific North American species
Bucephala islandica
vsgoldeneye
  • Specialized
9.9

A diving duck with black-and-white feathers and bright yellow eyes that lives in northern forests and lakes

is the general Arctic form rather than this regional species

Compounds

A North American diving duck with a white patch on its face and bright yellow eyes

Surface Forms

goldeneye singular
goldeneyes plural

Morphology

goldeneye = golden + eye (transparent) = golden + eye

The duck's name transparently describes its distinctive golden-yellow eyes using the words 'golden' and 'eye'.

Etymology

Goldeneye for the duck is also just golden + eye, named for the bird's bright, 'golden' eyes. That's why the name makes this fast diving duck easy to spot among other waterfowl.