Barrow

	Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) (Currently studied at Riske Creek by CWE researcher Matt Evans) Click here for a list of publications by CWE researchers working at Riske Creek. Population Delineation Three populations are currently identified on a geographical and morphological basis. A large population breeding and wintering mostly west of the Rocky Mountains and two small populations in eastern North America and in Iceland respectively (Savard 1987). A fourth population was thought to breed in Greenland but they are currently considered extinct (Boertmann 1994).None of the thousands of Barrowâs Goldeneye banded west of the Rocky Mountains have been recovered in eastern North America indicating little if any exchange between these populations. The Icelandic population is sedentary and is not known to exchange with the population of eastern North America. This is supported by the near absence of dark-billed females (a characteristic of Icelandic females) in eastern North America. These populations have yet to be studied from a genetic perspective. Ninety percent (approx. 70,000-150,000) of the world's Barrow's Goldeneye breed and winter west of the Rocky Mountains. In eastern North America the population estimates are between 2000 ö 4000 birds, and in Iceland approx. 2000. Distribution Breeding Range The breeding range of the western population extends throughout boreal forest habitats from interior and southcentral Alaska and western Yukon, southward through British Columbia and southwestern Alberta, into Washington and western Montana (Campbell et al. 1990, Savard unpublished, U.S.F.W.1999) Small breeding populations have been reported in Oregon, California and western Wyoming. Southern populations breed at higher elevations on alpine and subalpine lakes (up to 2400m; Campbell et al. 1990). In British Columbia, breeding areas are concentrated in the south-central Chilcotin-Cariboo portion of the province (Campbell et. al 1990, Savard unpublished). Migration Routes Little is known of the spring and fall migration routes but some evidence indicates migration is fast and direct (Savard 1985) and involves small group movements (Savard unpublished). Spring and Fall Staging Areas Preferences during spring and fall staging is unknown. Birds are occasionally seen in the spring associated with herring spawns until inland lakes have thawed (Campbell et al. 1990, Savard unpublished). In fall, it is thought that Barrow's Goldeneye congregate on large inland lakes until freeze up (as late as November for some). It is also believed that these staging areas are located north of breeding sites. Molting Areas Little is known about the molting sites, especially for females. Very few molting birds have been seen in coastal areas and therefore molting sites are believed to be inland, in areas north of the breeding and fall staging grounds (Campbell et al. 1990). Thousands of males molt on the Old Crow Flats and Yukon Flats in Alaska and the Yukon, although band recoveries from these sites come from birds breeding in Alaska (King 1963, Mossop and Hayes 1977, van der Wetering 1997). The molting location of males and females breeding in British Columbia have not yet been identified. Winter Range Winter range is also poorly known but primarily covers the Pacific coast from Alaska to California (Campbell et al. 1990) with higher densities believed to exist in Puget Sound (Savard 1987). Individuals banded in British Columbia have been reported as far south as Arizona (Campbell et al. 1990). Band recoveries suggest that wintering sites do not correspond to specific breeding areas (Savard 1987). Abundance Estimates are sparse over most of the western population's range and often accuracy and precision of the estimates are unknown. Breeding Grounds Savard (1987, and unpublished) suggests that the western population supports approximately 100,000-180,000 birds and may account for 60-90% of the world's population. The center of abundance of the western breeding population is reported to be in the central aspen parkland of British Columbia and consists of 70,000-126,000 birds (Bellrose 1976, Munro and Goodchild 1981) based on the Canadian Land Inventory System. Other estimates include 45,000 in Alaska, 2,400 in Washington, and 300 in Oregon (Bellrose 1976). There are no official estimates for the Yukon but Barrow's Goldeneye are ranked as the fourth most abundant waterfowl species in the Territory (Savard 1987). Small breeding populations have been reported in California and in Yellowstone National Park but no estimates have been recorded. Staging Areas No data is available for estimations of abundance at spring and fall staging areas. The birds are believed to congregate in large numbers on large inland lakes (Savard 1987) and may also use portions of their wintering areas. Molting Areas The only known molting site for the western population is on the Old Crow Flats and Yukon Flats of Alaska and the Yukon where 'thousands' of males molt but no estimate is provided (King 1963, Mossop and Hayes 1977, van der Wetering 1997). Wintering Grounds Winter abundance has been poorly documented. Bellrose (1976) estimates 1200 birds winter in British Columbia and up to 5000 in some years. Audubon Christmas Bird Counts estimate the British Columbia population at 1600 (Campbell et al. 1990), whereas Savard (unpublished) estimates there to be more than 2000 around Vancouver alone. Alaskan winter estimates are 66,500 along the Alaskan coast (Conant 1996) Population Trends The western population is believed to be stable or decreasing slightly although data is sparse outside of British Columbia, and existing estimates are conflicting (Savard 1987 and unpublished). For most of the western population's range estimates about trends are undetermined as many monitoring techniques in the United States do not distinguish between Barrow's Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye, nor do aerial surveys in British Columbia (Savard 1987). Audubon Christmas bird counts between 1969-1984 indicate little change in the population's numbers (Savard 1987). Breeding Bird Surveys between 1966-1996 indicate 5% annual increases for British Columbia and Washington (Savard unpublished). However, CWS Breeding Pair Surveys show a decline in British Columbia (Breault 1996) although this may be an artifact of conducting surveys where nest box programs used to be maintained (S. Boyd, pers. comm.). Surveys in Alaska are conflicting too. Hodges (1991) indicates an alarming decreasing trend whereas U.S. Fish and Wildlife reports (1999) suggests numbers are stable. Barrow's Goldeneye are currently considered to be a Species of Continental Conservation Concern and have received Status Assessment in the United States. Harvest Barrow's Goldeneye are a hunted species in their autumn and winter ranges although most harvesting is from inland autumn lakes. Several harvesting estimates exist for different portions of the bird's range. Western United States estimated average annual harvest for 1971-1980 was 2691 birds/year (Carney et al. 1983). Estimates of British Columbia's average annual harvest are between 1463-2000 birds/year (Mitras 1983, 1984, 1985, Lougheed et al. 1996, CWS National Harvest Survey 1974-1996). In Alaska the annual average between 1987-1997 was only 750 birds/year (Wentworth 1998). Band recoveries indicate most birds are shot local to their breeding areas (McKelvey and Smith 1990). Management and Conservation Concerns Concerns for the western Barrow's Goldeneye relate to the impacts of forest harvesting on nest sites as the species is believed to be limited by nest site availability (Savard 1987). The introduction of fish to fish-free lakes in Barrow's Goldeneye breeding areas is also of concern as these birds are known to avoid fish-bearing lakes in order to lessen competition for food for themselves and for their broods (Savard 1987). Wintering populations are also vulnerable to coastal petroleum transportation and to the threat of fuel spills. Possible management options include habitat protection and the use of nest box programs to reduce the impact of logging. As 60-90% of the world's population breed in British Columbia, activities in this province could affect the future of this species (Savard 1987). Literature Cited Bellrose, F.C.1976.Ducks, geese and swans of North America. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA. Boertmann, D.1994.An annotated checklist to the birds of Greenland. Meddelelser Om GÆnland, Biosci. Vol 38. 63 pages. Boyd, W.S. Can. Wildl. Ser., Pacific and Yukon Region, Delta, B.C., Can. Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, D. McTaggart-Cowan, J.M. Cooper, J.W. Kaiser and M.C.E. McNall.1989.The birds of British Columbia. Vol. 1. Non Passerines. Royal British Columbia Museum, Can. Wildl. Serv. 514 pages. Carney, S.M., M.F. Sorenson, and E.M. Martin.1983.Distribution of waterfowl species harvested in states and counties during 1971-1980 hunting seasons. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Spec. Scient. Rep. Wildl. No. 254. Conant, B.1996.Population estimates for waterbirds wintering in southeast Alaska - 1996. Unpubl. Rep., U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Juneau, Ak. 9 pages. Hodges, J.I.1991.Alaska waterfowl production surveys. Unpubl. rep., Migratory Bird Management, Juneau, Ak. 40 pages. King, J.G.1963.Duck banding in Arctic Alaska. J. Wildl. Manag. 27:356-362. McKelvey, R. and G.E.J. Smith.1990.The distribution of waterfowl banded or returned in British Columbia,1951 to 1985. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 79. Can. Wildl. Serv., Pacific and Yukon Region. 117 pages. Mitras, L.1983.Migratory birds killed in Canada during the 1981 season. Can. Wildl. Serv. Progr. Notes No. 137. Mitras, L.1984.Migratory birds killed in Canada during the 1982 season. Can. Wildl. Serv. Progr. Notes no. 143. Mitras, L.1985.Migratory birds killed in Canada during the 1983 season. Can. Wildl. Serv. Progr. Notes no. 154. Mossop, D., and R. Hayes.1977.Ornithological investigations in the northern Yukon Territory. Yukon Game Branch. 75 pages. Munro, W.T., and S.T. Goodchild.1981.Preliminary duck management plan for British Columbia. Prov. of B.C., M.O.E. Savard, J.-P.L.1985.Evidence of long-term pair bonds in Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). AUK 102:389-391. Savard, J.-P.L.1987.Status report on Barrow's Goldeneye. Can. Wildl. Serv. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 23. Pacific and Yukon Region. 81 pages. Savard, J.-P.L. unpublished. Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). In The Birds of North America. (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.1999.Population status and trends of sea ducks in Alaska.U.S.F.W.S., Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Ak. 137 pages. van de Wetering, D.1997.Moult characteristics and habitat selection of postbreeding male Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) in northern Yukon. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 296. Can. Wildl. Serv., Pacific and Yukon Region. 53 pages. Wentworth, C.1998.Subsistence waterfowl harvest survey Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta comprehensive report 1987-1997. U.S.F.W.S., Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Alaska.

Three populations are currently identified on a geographical and morphological basis. A large population breeding and wintering mostly west of the Rocky Mountains and two small populations in eastern North America and in Iceland respectively (Savard 1987). A fourth population was thought to breed in Greenland but they are currently considered extinct (Boertmann 1994).None of the thousands of Barrowâs Goldeneye banded west of the Rocky Mountains have been recovered in eastern North America indicating little if any exchange between these populations. The Icelandic population is sedentary and is not known to exchange with the population of eastern North America. This is supported by the near absence of dark-billed females (a characteristic of Icelandic females) in eastern North America. These populations have yet to be studied from a genetic perspective.

Ninety percent (approx. 70,000-150,000) of the world's Barrow's Goldeneye breed and winter west of the Rocky Mountains. In eastern North America the population estimates are between 2000 ö 4000 birds, and in Iceland approx. 2000.

Breeding Range

The breeding range of the western population extends throughout boreal forest habitats from interior and southcentral Alaska and western Yukon, southward through British Columbia and southwestern Alberta, into Washington and western Montana (Campbell et al. 1990, Savard unpublished, U.S.F.W.1999) Small breeding populations have been reported in Oregon, California and western Wyoming. Southern populations breed at higher elevations on alpine and subalpine lakes (up to 2400m; Campbell et al. 1990). In British Columbia, breeding areas are concentrated in the south-central Chilcotin-Cariboo portion of the province (Campbell et. al 1990, Savard unpublished).

Migration Routes

Little is known of the spring and fall migration routes but some evidence indicates migration is fast and direct (Savard 1985) and involves small group movements (Savard unpublished).

Spring and Fall Staging Areas

Preferences during spring and fall staging is unknown. Birds are occasionally seen in the spring associated with herring spawns until inland lakes have thawed (Campbell et al. 1990, Savard unpublished). In fall, it is thought that Barrow's Goldeneye congregate on large inland lakes until freeze up (as late as November for some). It is also believed that these staging areas are located north of breeding sites.

Molting Areas

Little is known about the molting sites, especially for females. Very few molting birds have been seen in coastal areas and therefore molting sites are believed to be inland, in areas north of the breeding and fall staging grounds (Campbell et al. 1990). Thousands of males molt on the Old Crow Flats and Yukon Flats in Alaska and the Yukon, although band recoveries from these sites come from birds breeding in Alaska (King 1963, Mossop and Hayes 1977, van der Wetering 1997). The molting location of males and females breeding in British Columbia have not yet been identified.

Winter Range

Winter range is also poorly known but primarily covers the Pacific coast from Alaska to California (Campbell et al. 1990) with higher densities believed to exist in Puget Sound (Savard 1987). Individuals banded in British Columbia have been reported as far south as Arizona (Campbell et al. 1990). Band recoveries suggest that wintering sites do not correspond to specific breeding areas (Savard 1987).

Abundance

Estimates are sparse over most of the western population's range and often accuracy and precision of the estimates are unknown.

Breeding Grounds

Savard (1987, and unpublished) suggests that the western population supports approximately 100,000-180,000 birds and may account for 60-90% of the world's population. The center of abundance of the western breeding population is reported to be in the central aspen parkland of British Columbia and consists of 70,000-126,000 birds (Bellrose 1976, Munro and Goodchild 1981) based on the Canadian Land Inventory System. Other estimates include 45,000 in Alaska, 2,400 in Washington, and 300 in Oregon (Bellrose 1976). There are no official estimates for the Yukon but Barrow's Goldeneye are ranked as the fourth most abundant waterfowl species in the Territory (Savard 1987). Small breeding populations have been reported in California and in Yellowstone National Park but no estimates have been recorded.

Staging Areas

No data is available for estimations of abundance at spring and fall staging areas. The birds are believed to congregate in large numbers on large inland lakes (Savard 1987) and may also use portions of their wintering areas.

Molting Areas

The only known molting site for the western population is on the Old Crow Flats and Yukon Flats of Alaska and the Yukon where 'thousands' of males molt but no estimate is provided (King 1963, Mossop and Hayes 1977, van der Wetering 1997).

Wintering Grounds

Winter abundance has been poorly documented. Bellrose (1976) estimates 1200 birds winter in British Columbia and up to 5000 in some years. Audubon Christmas Bird Counts estimate the British Columbia population at 1600 (Campbell et al. 1990), whereas Savard (unpublished) estimates there to be more than 2000 around Vancouver alone. Alaskan winter estimates are 66,500 along the Alaskan coast (Conant 1996)

Population Trends

The western population is believed to be stable or decreasing slightly although data is sparse outside of British Columbia, and existing estimates are conflicting (Savard 1987 and unpublished).

For most of the western population's range estimates about trends are undetermined as many monitoring techniques in the United States do not distinguish between Barrow's Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye, nor do aerial surveys in British Columbia (Savard 1987).

Audubon Christmas bird counts between 1969-1984 indicate little change in the population's numbers (Savard 1987). Breeding Bird Surveys between 1966-1996 indicate 5% annual increases for British Columbia and Washington (Savard unpublished). However, CWS Breeding Pair Surveys show a decline in British Columbia (Breault 1996) although this may be an artifact of conducting surveys where nest box programs used to be maintained (S. Boyd, pers. comm.). Surveys in Alaska are conflicting too. Hodges (1991) indicates an alarming decreasing trend whereas U.S. Fish and Wildlife reports (1999) suggests numbers are stable.

Barrow's Goldeneye are currently considered to be a Species of Continental Conservation Concern and have received Status Assessment in the United States.

Barrow's Goldeneye are a hunted species in their autumn and winter ranges although most harvesting is from inland autumn lakes. Several harvesting estimates exist for different portions of the bird's range. Western United States estimated average annual harvest for 1971-1980 was 2691 birds/year (Carney et al. 1983). Estimates of British Columbia's average annual harvest are between 1463-2000 birds/year (Mitras 1983, 1984, 1985, Lougheed et al. 1996, CWS National Harvest Survey 1974-1996). In Alaska the annual average between 1987-1997 was only 750 birds/year (Wentworth 1998).

Band recoveries indicate most birds are shot local to their breeding areas (McKelvey and Smith 1990).

Management and Conservation Concerns

Concerns for the western Barrow's Goldeneye relate to the impacts of forest harvesting on nest sites as the species is believed to be limited by nest site availability (Savard 1987). The introduction of fish to fish-free lakes in Barrow's Goldeneye breeding areas is also of concern as these birds are known to avoid fish-bearing lakes in order to lessen competition for food for themselves and for their broods (Savard 1987). Wintering populations are also vulnerable to coastal petroleum transportation and to the threat of fuel spills.

Possible management options include habitat protection and the use of nest box programs to reduce the impact of logging. As 60-90% of the world's population breed in British Columbia, activities in this province could affect the future of this species (Savard 1987).

Literature Cited

Bellrose, F.C.1976.Ducks, geese and swans of North America. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA.

Boertmann, D.1994.An annotated checklist to the birds of Greenland. Meddelelser Om GÆnland, Biosci. Vol 38. 63 pages.

Campbell, R.W., N.K. Dawe, D. McTaggart-Cowan, J.M. Cooper, J.W. Kaiser and M.C.E. McNall.1989.The birds of British Columbia. Vol. 1. Non Passerines. Royal British Columbia Museum, Can. Wildl. Serv. 514 pages.

Carney, S.M., M.F. Sorenson, and E.M. Martin.1983.Distribution of waterfowl species harvested in states and counties during 1971-1980 hunting seasons. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv. Spec. Scient. Rep. Wildl. No. 254.

Conant, B.1996.Population estimates for waterbirds wintering in southeast Alaska - 1996. Unpubl. Rep., U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Juneau, Ak. 9 pages.

Hodges, J.I.1991.Alaska waterfowl production surveys. Unpubl. rep., Migratory Bird Management, Juneau, Ak. 40 pages.

McKelvey, R. and G.E.J. Smith.1990.The distribution of waterfowl banded or returned in British Columbia,1951 to 1985. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 79. Can. Wildl. Serv., Pacific and Yukon Region. 117 pages.

Mitras, L.1983.Migratory birds killed in Canada during the 1981 season. Can. Wildl. Serv. Progr. Notes No. 137.

Mitras, L.1984.Migratory birds killed in Canada during the 1982 season. Can. Wildl. Serv. Progr. Notes no. 143.

Mitras, L.1985.Migratory birds killed in Canada during the 1983 season. Can. Wildl. Serv. Progr. Notes no. 154.

Mossop, D., and R. Hayes.1977.Ornithological investigations in the northern Yukon Territory. Yukon Game Branch. 75 pages.

Munro, W.T., and S.T. Goodchild.1981.Preliminary duck management plan for British Columbia. Prov. of B.C., M.O.E.

Savard, J.-P.L.1985.Evidence of long-term pair bonds in Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). AUK 102:389-391.

Savard, J.-P.L.1987.Status report on Barrow's Goldeneye. Can. Wildl. Serv. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 23. Pacific and Yukon Region. 81 pages.

Savard, J.-P.L. unpublished. Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). In The Birds of North America. (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.1999.Population status and trends of sea ducks in Alaska.U.S.F.W.S., Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Ak. 137 pages.

van de Wetering, D.1997.Moult characteristics and habitat selection of postbreeding male Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) in northern Yukon. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 296. Can. Wildl. Serv., Pacific and Yukon Region. 53 pages.

Wentworth, C.1998.Subsistence waterfowl harvest survey Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta comprehensive report 1987-1997. U.S.F.W.S., Migratory Bird Management, Anchorage, Alaska.

(Currently studied at Riske Creek by CWE researcher Matt Evans)

Population Delineation

Breeding Range

Migration Routes

Spring and Fall Staging Areas

Molting Areas

Winter Range

Abundance

Breeding Grounds

Staging Areas

Molting Areas

Wintering Grounds

Population Trends

Management and Conservation Concerns

Literature Cited