Barrow’s Goldeneyes are only occasionally seen in Minnesota. They are western birds and spend their winters in the Northwestern United States. They nest from British Columbia north through Alaska. A little over a week ago someone found a male Barrow’s Goldeneye at the sewage ponds in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. We live only about 15 miles from Grand Rapids so I was able to photograph it. Here you see the male Barrow’s Goldeneye paired with a female Common Goldeneye. One of the key distinguishing field marks for a Barrow’s Goldeneye is the comma-shaped white spot on its face.

Barrow’s Goldeneyes are only occasionally seen in Minnesota. They are western birds and spend their winters in the Northwestern United States. They nest from British Columbia north through Alaska. A little over a week ago someone found a male Barrow’s Goldeneye at the sewage ponds in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. We live only about 15 miles from Grand Rapids so I was able to photograph it. Here you see the male Barrow’s Goldeneye paired with a female Common Goldeneye. One of the key distinguishing field marks for a Barrow’s Goldeneye is the comma-shaped white spot on its face.