The Bucephala clangula, commonly known as the Common Goldeneye, is native to the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It breeds across the boreal forest regions of Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and northern Russia. During the winter, the species migrates southward to more temperate regions, including the continental United States, coastal areas of Western Europe, and parts of Central Europe and Asia.

The Common Goldeneye primarily inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal areas with abundant vegetation. During the breeding season, it prefers nesting in wooded lakes and rivers in boreal forests where old-growth trees provide suitable nesting sites in tree cavities. In winter, the species can be found in estuaries, bays, and large, open lakes that remain unfrozen.

Bucephala clangula is a diving duck, meaning it forages underwater for food. Its diet mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates, fish, and plant material, which it finds in the shallow waters of its habitat. The species plays an important role in controlling invertebrate populations and contributing to aquatic ecosystem health. It also serves as prey for larger predators, linking different trophic levels in its ecosystem.