Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) lives in northern lakes across North America. It feeds on insects and crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Bufflehead
- At just 35.5 cm (14 in) long and 370 g (13 oz) on average, the bufflehead rivals the green-winged teal as one of the smallest American ducks. Its total length ranges from 32-40 cm (13-16 in) and weight from 270-550 g (9.5-19.4 oz), with males edging out females in size. A wingspan of only 55 cm (21.6 in). This miniature build lets the species exploit tiny nesting holes and shallow dive spots that larger ducks simply cannot reach, carving a unique niche in North-American wetlands.
- Buffleheads have shrunk to fit the tiny holes left by northern flickers, nesting in cavities usually less than 25 m (82 ft) from water and often in old flicker burrows. Their small bodies allow them to use entrances only about 7 cm wide, a size that excludes larger competitors like goldeneyes. By co-opting these woodpecker homes, they secure a safe, elevated hatch site, illustrating a remarkable example of inter-species niche sharing that boosts breeding success.
- From 1966 through 2015 the species grew at more than 1.5 % per year across its entire breeding range, a steady climb that bucks the decline seen in many other seaducks.
- A typical clutch holds nine eggs (range six to 11), each about 50.5 × 36.3 mm, and the parents incubate them for roughly 30 days. One study recorded a nest-success rate of 79 %, far higher than ground-nesting teal species.
- While most wild buffleheads live only about 2.5 years, one individual was documented reaching 18.7 years, a lifespan that dwarfs the average and shows the species' potential for long life under favorable conditions.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth America
HabitatNorthern lakes
DietInsects and crustaceans
About the Bufflehead
In the shimmering expanse of a winter lake, a tiny, iridescent king darts and weaves, the bufflehead's sleek, black-and-white form slicing through the water with effortless ease. As it forages for aquatic delights, its oversized head bobs and dives with comedic flair, a testament to the remarkable adaptability of this smallest of North American diving ducks. With a soft, whistling call, the bufflehead announces its presence, a fleeting glimpse of beauty in the frozen landscape, its very existence a celebration of resilience and joy.
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