Canada Goose

Mallard

Bufflehead

Help me find these Waterfowl:

Trumpeter Swan

Wood Duck

Bufflehead

Two buffleheads on water

Buffleheads ~Photography by Janet Sippel

Buffleheads are the smallest of North American diving ducks. They can be mistaken for the larger Common Goldeneye when in flight, but can be distinguished by the large white area on their head. Buffleheads also have silent wings during flight whereas the Common Goldeneye’s wings make a whirring sound. Buffleheads live up to 15 years with a wingspan of 54-61 cm and they grow to the length of 32-39 cm.

Voice:

Male Buffleheads make a low squeal or growl, yet they chatter during breeding. The female Buffleheads are normally silent, except for calling out to chicks or during courtship.

The video below doesn't have them singing but you'll see males and females playing in the water half-way through.


Nesting:

Buffleheads nest in cavities near water and do not add any nesting material. They lay 7-9 eggs in 1 brood between April-September.

Feeding:

Buffleheads dive for aquatic invertebrates which usually includes freshwater insects but if they are in saltwater, they eat crustaceans and mollusks. They will also eat seeds.