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In the icy waters of Vermont

in the icy waters of Vermont's Lake Champlain,

common golden eyes are getting hot.

Months before the woods here glow with migrating songbirds,

these perky ducks are already engaged in courtship. One of the male's signature moves is the head throw kick.

On the water, he thrusts his iridescent green black head forward for a moment,

then whips it back so that his nape touches his rump and his billpoint skyward.

Finally, he slings his head forward and makes a high buzzy call while splashing water outward with his feet.

This is a genuine turn-on for female golden eyes.

Most duck species court and form pair bonds in winter.

Golden eye pairs now bonding across the US

will migrate together in early spring toward breeding waters across Canada and Alaska.

But he's a rambler.

After she lays their eggs, the golden eye male abandons his mate and parental duties.

It's common conduct among ducks.

Winter romance can be, well, cold and calculating.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.

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