>This message is from Donna Lusthoff, who should be on OBOL but is not hooked
>up yet......
>
> "Information on Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) feeding behavior
>sought.
> A male was found 4 years ago on the Tillamook, Or. Christmas Bird Count.
>He fed by pulling mollusks off pilings in the bay. Possibly the same bird has
>been observed every winter since. He has only fed in the above manner --
>never diving, although other goldeneye in the area do. I have never seen any
>goldeneye (of either species) feed in this way. Flocks of mixed goldeneye on
>the Columbia River only dive, though there are pilings around. Nor can I find
>any material that discusses anything other than diving, and, rarely, upending
>and dabbling. References: Bellrose, Palmer, Cramp, Bent, Madge and Ehrlich."
> I will pass on all info to Donna.
> Cindy Lawes
>cwlawes at aol.com
>Beaverton, Or.

In western Washington, Barrow's Goldeneye is THE piling bird. Most flocks
I see are associated with docks and pilings. They swim round and round
them, picking invertebrates off, and are perfectly willing to do so right
at the surface as the tide recedes. Obviously there weren't pilings when
this species evolved, but their feeding habits (presumably taking prey off
rocks) clearly adapted them perfectly for the piling situation. No doubt
how to manage this species, at least on the wintering grounds: keep on
piling!

BTW, Common Goldeneyes rarely hang around pilings; they're quite different
birds.

Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416