Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) is named after the English statesman Sir John Barrow (1764-1848) in recognition of his support of arctic exploration. It breeds in wooded lakes and ponds primarily in northwestern North America, eastern Canada and Iceland. It is considered an arboreal bird species because much of its nesting is done in cavities found in mature trees. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek boukephalos, "bullheaded", from bous, "bull " and kephale, "head", a reference to its bulbous head shape. The species name islandica means Iceland - though it is mainly a bird of the western montane region of North America and was once known as the Rocky Mountain Goldeneye.
