The Bufflehead is a small diving duck known for its striking appearance and energetic behavior. Males are easily recognized by their glossy black and white plumage and a distinctive large white patch on the back of their head. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, featuring grayish-brown bodies with a smaller white cheek patch.
Buffleheads prefer to nest in tree cavities near freshwater ponds and lakes, often using old woodpecker holes created by Northern Flickers. During the breeding season, they can be found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. In winter, they migrate to coastal waters, lakes, and rivers across North America, favoring shallow waters where they dive for food.
These ducks are agile divers, feeding on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. They are also known to consume some plant material. Buffleheads are generally solitary or found in small groups, but during migration, they may join larger flocks.
The Bufflehead’s flight is rapid with fast wingbeats, and they can take off straight from the water without much effort. Despite their small size, they are hardy birds, capable of withstanding cold temperatures during their wintering period.
Contributing to citizen Science projects helps our collective knowledge, but it also helps us as individuals learn. We'd like to highlight some citizen science projects in which families can participate. If you know of a project that we could highlight on our blog, please let us know! The... Read more »
With their special water-resistant plumage, ducks are made for water. But did you know that several species of duck actually require trees when it comes to breeding? Some ducks are cavity nesters. We've recently added one of these cute little cavity-nesting ducks to Birdorable. The Bufflehead is... Read more »
