Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Barrow's goldeneye

Barrow's goldeneye

9.5
A North American diving duck with a white patch on its face and bright yellow eyes
  • noun
  • /ˈbɛroʊz ˈɡoʊldənˌaɪ/
  • US
translation icon : pato buceador de Barrow
  • The Barrow's goldeneye is easily recognized by the male's distinctive white facial patch.

Examples

  • We spotted a Barrow's goldeneye swimming near the shore during our birdwatching trip.

  • Unlike the common goldeneye, the Barrow's goldeneye prefers nesting in the forests of western North America.

  • The Barrow's goldeneye is known for its striking plumage and bright yellow eyes.

  • I spotted a Barrow's goldeneye at the lake yesterday.

  • The Barrow's goldeneyes migrate south for the winter.

  • We spotted a Barrow's goldeneye swimming gracefully in the lake during our birdwatching trip.

  • Unlike the common goldeneye, the Barrow's goldeneye is often seen nesting in the forests of western North America.

Synonyms

Bucephala islandica
vsBarrow's goldeneye
  • Specialized
9.9

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

emphasizes the male's distinctive white facial patch rather than habitat

Surface Forms

Barrow's goldeneye singular
Barrow's goldeneyes plural

Morphology

Barrow's + goldeneye

This is a straightforward eponymous species name: 'goldeneye' is a type of diving duck and the possessive 'Barrow's' marks a specific named variety or species associated with a person/place. A B1 learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a particular kind of goldeneye duck, so the meaning is transparently composed from its parts.

Etymology

Barrow's goldeneye is named after a British explorer called Barrow, and the word goldeneye describes the duck's bright yellow eye and white face patch. So the name helps you remember it is a 'duck' with a golden eye that was linked to Barrow.