Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
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Habitat
Buffleheads are migratory, and spend the winter in inland waters or protected coastal waters such as shallow bays, sheltered coves, harbors, coastal lagoons, and estuaries, and breed in wooded lakes and ponds in northern taiga habitats. They nest in cavities of aspens or poplars close to small lakes or permanent freshwater ponds and marshes, and have been known to nest in priaries when trees and water are nearby. Their small size allows Buffleheads to use the nesting cavities left by Northern Flickers, and their habitats coincide. Adaptation Buffleheads are so called because of their large, bulbous, buffalo-like heads. They can fluff out the feathers on their heads during courtship displays to make them appear even larger. |
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Genus: Bucephala Species: albeola Total Length: 12-16 in.
Wingspan: 21-22 in. Weight: 9-20 oz. Lifespan: 18 years |
Male Buffleheads have black faces, with iridescent purples and greens, and a striking white patch behind the eye. Females are similar, but with grey and brown tones instead of black.
Highly active, Buffleheads spend much of their time diving for food to support their high metabolism. They are buoyant, and disappear for a few moments while diving, and then pop back up to the surface. Normally quiet birds, during mating season male Buffleheads become aggressive and loud, and attract females with energetic courtship displays. Females will also become noisier with gutteral clucking sounds while searching for their nests.
Buffleheads are monogamous, and typically lay 6-11 eggs after a 30 day incubation, in a nest lined with down feathers from the female's chest. Buffleheads have a high rate of breeding success because of their propensity to use old Nothern Flicker nests (and sometimes Pileated Woodpeckers) in tree cavities off the ground. Far more agile in the water than they are on land because of the placement of their legs, Buffleheads are usually only seen on land when leading their ducklings to water from the nesting site—they even take off by running on the water.
Highly active, Buffleheads spend much of their time diving for food to support their high metabolism. They are buoyant, and disappear for a few moments while diving, and then pop back up to the surface. Normally quiet birds, during mating season male Buffleheads become aggressive and loud, and attract females with energetic courtship displays. Females will also become noisier with gutteral clucking sounds while searching for their nests.
Buffleheads are monogamous, and typically lay 6-11 eggs after a 30 day incubation, in a nest lined with down feathers from the female's chest. Buffleheads have a high rate of breeding success because of their propensity to use old Nothern Flicker nests (and sometimes Pileated Woodpeckers) in tree cavities off the ground. Far more agile in the water than they are on land because of the placement of their legs, Buffleheads are usually only seen on land when leading their ducklings to water from the nesting site—they even take off by running on the water.
Niche
Buffleheads forage underwater in open, shallow waterways for aquatic insects and insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, seeds and fish eggs. When feeding in groups, some will watch for predators while the rest dive for prey.
Buffleheads compete for nests with Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Goldeneyes, and European Starlings. Predators include peregrine falcons, snowy owls, bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, eurasian eagle owls, cooper's hawks, weasels, and minks.
Buffleheads forage underwater in open, shallow waterways for aquatic insects and insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic plants, seeds and fish eggs. When feeding in groups, some will watch for predators while the rest dive for prey.
Buffleheads compete for nests with Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Goldeneyes, and European Starlings. Predators include peregrine falcons, snowy owls, bald eagles, golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, eurasian eagle owls, cooper's hawks, weasels, and minks.
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