Sometimes the angle to the light may alter the head gloss. I have photographs of Barrow's Goldeneyes with greenish head gloss. Also, a Mallard's head can look blue if you see it at a certain angle to the light.

Barry Ulman
Bellingham, WA.


On Mar 6, 2012, at 7:29 PM, Kelly McAllister wrote:

> I came upon this male goldeneye today, at Mud Bay in Thurston County, Washington. At first, from a distance, I thought it might have a round white spot at the base of the bill. But, the rest of it looked like a typical Barrow?s Goldeneye. They I noticed a green sheen on the head. All of the nearby male Barrow?s Goldeneyes had the typical purple sheen. On closer look, the one with the green head has a crescent-shaped loral spot, perhaps a bit reduced in size from what?s typical. You can see this bird here:
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/29002564 at N08/6960686549/in/photostream
>
> I really thought I might be looking at a Common Goldeneye-Barrow?s Goldeneye hybrid but, on closer examination, that might be a reach. Have others seen male Barrow?s Goldeneyes with green head sheen?
>
> Kelly McAllister
> Olympia, Washington
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