Bucephala albeola
Length: 12-15 Weight: 0.5-1.5 lbs
Identification:
Male is white below with a black back. Head is large, mostly iridescent black with a large white patch on the back of the head. Female is dark brown above, light brown below, with a white spot on the cheek.
Distribution:
Breed in Alaska and Canada. Winter across the continental US and Mexico.
Cool Facts:
Buffleheads are cavity nesters. They primarily use holes excavated by Northern Flickers.
Bufflehead fossils have been found that date back 500,000 years; another fossil resembling a Bufflehead dates back two million years.
Bufflehead is a combination of “buffalo” and “head,” referring to the large head on these ducks, especially when males puff out their feathers.
Make your own bird cookies!
References:
Bird on the Move 