Barrow's Goldeneye female or Common Goldeneye

[RCB40 2]

The attached photo shows a Barrow's Goldeneye accompanied by a female.  Paired with a Barrow's it suggests that the female is a Barrow's, but the bill color is typical of a Common Goldeneye female.  Cornell's Birds of the World cites two references that female Barrow's may rarely only have yellow on distal third.  So, is it more likely that this is a rare Barrow's with yellow on the tip of the bill or do female Common Goldeneyes pair with Barrow's?  Are there any other marking on the female that would distinguish between female Barrow's and Common Goldeneyes.

Thanks for any insights.

[Jefferson Shank 1,221]

The female is a Common Goldeneye with that longer bill and the shallow slanted forehead.

Edited Thursday at 12:37 AM by Jefferson Shank

[Seanbirds 448]

9 minutes ago, Jefferson Shank said:

The female is a Common Goldeneye with that longer bill and the shallow slanted forehead.

Agreed

[Jerry Friedman 471]

The two species do pair sometimes, since hybrids are known, but I don't think these two are necessarily a pair.  The goldeneyes (and Buffleheads) often hang out together.

Edited Thursday at 01:54 AM by Jerry Friedman

[Jefferson Shank 1,221]

That is a good picture for comparison, @RCB40!

Edited Thursday at 12:02 PM by Jefferson Shank