Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

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Bufflehead (Anatidae: Bucephala albeola)

Many duck species live and breed in the Northern Boreal Forest including the Bufflehead. The Bufflehead breeds on lakes, ponds, and rivers in the Taiga. Buffleheads spend the winter in the United States on any body of open water, but are most common in coastal regions such as estuaries and bays.

Identifying Features: The male is easily recognized by the large white patch on the head (the duck on the right in the figure) and its generally chunky overall appearance. The female is more discrete in its coloration. The female lacks the male's large white patch, but has a horizontal white line under and behind the eye.

Habitat: During the summer the Bufflehead lives along wooded ponds, lakes, and rivers. In the winter, it migrates to the south and is found throughout the United States. However the majority of wintering birds are found along the coast in estuaries and bays.

Food: The Bufflehead feeds on a variety of food stuffs including aquatic plants, small fish, and invertebrates.

Behavior: The male has a squeaky whistle. The Bufflehead is a very good diver and will dive to escape danger rather than flying. Its flight is very rapid.

Reproduction: The Bufflehead nests in tree holes. The nest is a pile of down in the hole. There are 6 to 12 ivory colored eggs.