Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage
Common Goldeneye
| Wing Character | Male | Female | ||
| Adult | Immature | Immature | Adult | |
| Middle and lesser coverts | Entirely white over all but the most proximal secondaries | A variable mixture of gray or gray-white and black over the secondaries | Many feathers entirely white; others only white tipped | |
| Greater secondary coverts | Entirely white | White, with or without traces of black at their tips which are often slightly frayed | White with a wide black band across their tips | |
| Notch- length | 94% > 218 mm. | 97% > 210 mm. | 98%< 210 mm. | 98% < 218 mm. |
| Greater tertial coverts | Black, tips rounded and not frayed | Black, somewhat pointed, often both frayed and faded at tips | Black; tips rounded and often showing traces of gray | |
| Tertials | Shiny black; not frayed or faded | Dull black; tips usually faded to gray | Shiny black; not frayed or faded | |
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