Bufflehead

Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola

Classification: Order: Anseriformes; Family: Anatidae

Bufflehead

Brief Description

A very small, diving sea duck with a large, bulbous head. They are active swimmers and energetic divers, frequently seen in small groups on open water.

Additional Information

  • Region of Origin: North America. Breeds primarily in the boreal forests and parklands of Canada and Alaska; winters along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts and throughout the lower 48 United States.
  • Typical Sighting Period: Winter and Migration (October through April in most of the US); Summer for breeding in northern Canada/Alaska.
  • Plumage Details: Adult males (right) have a striking white patch on the back of a large, puffy, iridescent dark head, with a white body and black back. Females (middle/left) and juveniles are drab gray-brown with a distinct oval white patch on the cheek.
  • Ecological Significance: As insectivores and molluscivores, they help regulate aquatic invertebrate populations. They are also important cavity-nesters, relying on woodpecker holes, which links forest health to aquatic ecosystems.
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); Population trend is currently stable or increasing.
  • Observation Tips: Look for them in sheltered bays, estuaries, or lakes. They are much smaller than other ducks and are almost constantly diving, rarely staying on the surface for more than 15-20 seconds.

Size & Weight

Length: 32-40 cm (13-16 in); Wingspan: 55 cm (22 in); Weight: 270-550 g (9.5-19.4 oz). One of the smallest North American ducks.

Diet

Aquatic invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, mollusks) and occasionally small fish or seeds, caught by diving underwater.

Habitat

Breeding: Small ponds and lakes near boreal forests with cavity-bearing trees. Wintering: Sheltered coastal waters, estuaries, and inland lakes or slow-moving rivers.

Migration

Migratory. They move from northern breeding grounds to southerly coastal and inland waters as ice forms in the north.

Voice (Call & Song)

Generally silent; males give a guttural squeaky 'juk' during courtship, while females have a soft 'quack'.

Nesting & Breeding

Secondary cavity nesters, almost exclusively using old Northern Flicker holes. They lay 6-11 cream-colored eggs. The female alone incubates the eggs and leads the precocial ducklings to water.

Key Field Marks

Small size; large 'buffy' head; male has large white wedge on back of head; female has single white oval cheek patch.

Similar Species

Hooded Merganser (male has a black border around a white crest; female has a cinnamon crest); Common Goldeneye (larger, male has a round white spot near the bill rather than a large patch behind the eye).

Interesting Facts

Buffleheads are monochromatic in their cavity choice; they are so small that they can utilize Northern Flicker holes that are too small for other cavity-nesting ducks like Goldeneyes or Wood Ducks.