bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 10 inches Wingspan: 24 inches

• Very small compact diving duck

• Very small dark gray bill

• Immature female similar to adult female, but immature male has a            larger white cheek patch

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer

• Dark glossy head

• Large white patch on the head from behind the eye

• White breast, belly and flanks

• Dark back

• Inner wing white and outer wing dark, visible in flight

Adult male basic:

• Similar to adult female but with a larger white cheek patch

Adult female:

• Dark brown head and body, breast and flanks paler

• Oval white patch on face behind eye

• White belly

• White inner secondaries and otherwise dark wing, visible in flight

Similar species:

Female bufflehead distinguished from female harlequin duck by white
secondaries and single white patch behind the eye.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:N/A
Breeding Habitat:Wetland-open water
Nest Location:N/A
Nest Type:CavityClutch
Size:6-14
Length of Incubation: 29-31(28-33) days
Days to Fledge:50-55
Number of Broods:1
Diet: Primarily aquatic invertebrates; lesser quantities of green plant
matter, seeds, and fish

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February R

 

 

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