General

Bufflehead: Small diving duck, mostly white with glossy green-black to purple-black head and back. Head has large white patch behind eye. Wings are dark with white patches visible in flight. Female and juvenile have dark brown upperparts, white cheek patch, and pale gray underparts; 1st winter male is darker overall. Eclipse male resembles breeding male but has gray sides and duller head with smaller patch behind eye.

Range and Habitat

Bufflehead: Breeds in Alaska and in Canada east to western Quebec, and south in the mountains to Washington and Montana. Spends winters along the Atlantic to northern Florida and across the southern U.S., and south to Mexico and the Gulf coast. Preferred habitats include lakes, ponds, saltwater bays, and estuaries.

Breeding and Nesting

Bufflehead: Eight to ten creamy yellow, light olive buff or pale buff eggs are laid in a nest made of down built in an abandoned woodpecker hole up to 20 feet above the ground. Incubation ranges from 28 to 33 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Bufflehead: Diet includes insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and seeds. Forages in open, shallow water and dives from the surface for food.

Vocalization

Bufflehead: Male Bufflehead makes a squeaky whistle; female has a soft, hoarse quack.

Similar Species

Bufflehead: Hooded Merganser is larger, has brown sides, spike-like bill that hooks at tip, and large head crest that can be lowered or fanned. Ruddy Duck has longer tail and bill.