
AMERICAN .GOLDENEYE 
Scapulars of adult males have white center stripes and dark edges. 
Scapulars of adult females have dark centers and white edges. The 
middle coverts of adult males are white except those over the tertials. 
Middle coverts of adult females and immatures of both sexes are part 
white and part gray. The greater coverts of adult females are heavily 
tipped with black over the secondaries and rounded and unfrayed over 
the tertials. The greater coverts of immatures of both sexes are often 
frayed over the secondaries and may show some black tipping. Over the 
tertials they are usually both frayed and faded. Most immature male 
wings are longer than 215 mm. Most immature females are shorter than 
210 mm. 
KEY TO AMERICAN GOLDENEYE 
1. Middle Coverts: 
(a) Entirely clear white except over tertials --------- Adult Male 1/ 
(b) Partly clear white and partly shiny black, 
or partly gray and partly white-------------------- 2 
2. Tertials: 
(a) Shiny black tips, unfrayed or faded --------------- 3 
(b) Dull black, tips frayed or faded to gray ---------- 4 
3. Greater Coverts: 
(a) Ends of coverts are black, unfrayed, and 
rounded over secondaries and tertials, 
Tips may show traces of gray over the 
tertLal$ ------- 9 -n nnn nen ne nn ne ree nese cencee Adult Female 
(b) Ends of coverts are white with traces of 
black, narrow and much frayed (especially 
over the tertials) to brownish gray at tips ------- 4 
4. Scapulars: (if absent go to 5) 
(a) Longitudinal white stripes, or white . 
centers and dark edging --------------------------- Immature Male 
(b) No trace of white longitudinal stripes, 
may have dark centers and white edging ------------ Immature Female 
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