Four comparison images of a male Barrow's Goldeneye and a Common Goldeneyes. The Barrow's is not common to our area; however, Winter sightings do happen on occasion. This is a first sighting for me.

Top image: A male Barrow's (front) and a male Common swimming side-by-side. Notable differences: the Barrow's has a white crescent patch on the face compared to a white oval spot for the Common; The black back of the Barrow's extends on sides in front of wing; The Barrow's has a puffy black head with purplish sheen, whereas the Common has a more pointed black head with a green gloss. The sheen is dependent on the lighting conditions. In the above image both seem to have a purplish sheen.


Front view of the Barrow's. Note the crescent or tear-drop shaped patch on the cheek.


The Barrow's swimming with an other male Common and a female Common. The female Common and the Barrow's male seem to be an item as they are seldom apart.


Out on a DOUBLE DATE.