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Bufflehead

Bucephala albeola ORDER: ANSERIFORMES FAMILY: ANATIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Bufflehead Photo

© Marie Read

The smallest diving duck in North America, the Bufflehead breeds in ponds and small lakes in Canada, and winters in much of the United States. It nests in tree cavities as well as in nest boxes.

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Appearance

Ducks
Ducks
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small diving duck.
  • Black-and-white.
  • Small gray bill.
  • White patch on side of head.

Male Description

Breeding (Alternate) Plumage: Head glossy dark purple-green with large white patch covering the entire back of the head. Black back, white underparts. Wings have a large white patch, including secondaries and coverts.
Nonbreeding (Basic) Plumage: Head not glossy, large white ear patch does not extend around back of head.

Female Description

Mostly dark, with dark brown head and upperparts; underparts dusky gray. Face has a small white patch in ear area.

Immature Description

Similar to adult female, with less distinct ear patch.

Range Map Help

Bufflehead Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Male Hooded Merganser has a large white patch on head, but has brown sides.
  • Female Common and Barrow's goldeneyes have no white on the face; male goldeneyes have white patches in front of eye, not in back.
  • Male Ruddy Duck's white cheek patch is larger, extending to bill; female Ruddy Duck shows a dark line separating whitish areas on face.