Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula, is a species of seaduck found in woodland and forest, river and lake, marine inlet and transitional water and coastal ecosystems. It is a widespread breeder in northern and central Europe. The species is restricted to water close to the shore and less than 10 m deep. When breeding the species shows a preference for oligotrophic lakes devoid of fish but with abundant invertebrate life, and requires tree-holes (or artificial nestboxes) for nesting. Suitable habitats include freshwater lakes, pools, rivers and deep marshes surrounded by coniferous forest. The species winters mainly at sea on inshore waters, estuaries, coastal lagoons and shallow bays, especially in the vicinity of sewage outfalls (European Red List 2015).

Bucephala clangula has a breeding population size of 267000-382000 pairs and a breeding range size of 1040000 square kilometres in the EU27. The breeding population trend in the EU27 is Decreasing in the short term and Increasing in the long term. Bucephala clangula has a winter population size of 322000-426000 individuals in the EU27. The winter population trend in the EU27 is Stable in the short term and Increasing in the long term.

The EU population status of Bucephala clangula was assessed as Secure, because the species does not meet any of the IUCN Red List criteria for threatened or Near Threatened, or the criteria for Depleted or Declining (the EU27 population or range has not declined by 20% or more since 1980).