COMMON GOLDENEYE

These midsized 2-pound ducks get their name from their yellow eyes, but a male possesses even more colorful features. He has a green head, white cheek patch and a great amount of white showing on his black and white body. Females are gray with a brown head and white collar.

Expert divers, common goldeneyes can remain under for about 20 seconds and dive to a depth of up to 20 feet. Their diet includes aquatic plants, insects and snails.

While many of the goldeneyes from Minnesota winter as far south as the Gulf, each year some stay here all winter. Come summer they return to the lakes in the northeastern and north-central regions of the state.

JIM GILBERT