On a DFO field trip to Mount Evans yesterday July 26, we observed a family (presumably mother and six half grown downy young) of Goldeneyes for some time. The adult seemed to be in "eclipse" plumage:all *black* bill, brown head, sooty black rest of body except for a small white wing patch. I conclude this must be a family of Barrow's Goldeneye for the following reasons: Common Goldeneye do not normally breed in Colorado the nearest site on my field guide range maps seems to the Yellowstone area of Wyoming (Is this correct?) 2. The bill had no yellow, but did seem to be small. 3. The forehead did seem to me to be more perpendicular than the COGO.
None of my books show these species in eclipse plumage. Nor do they show the downy young though I assume they are indistinguishable from COGO young. Someone mentioned this family had already been reported (where?) Did I miss something? Any confirmations for ID? For example seeing this bird earlier in the year with "normal" plumage). Thank You, Bob Shade 303-975-2476 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
