Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola

Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola. Photograph taken in the coastal area of Yavaros, Sonora, December, 2018. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Background and Identification

The Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola, is a member of the Anatidae family of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl. This species is a small sea duck known for its iridescent plumaged and agile diving capabilities. In Mexico, this species is called Porrón Albeola.

Buffleheads are a sexually dimorphic species, males and females have very different characteristics. Male Buffleheads are particularly eye-catching with their iridescent green and purple head, which features a large white patch that extends from the eye to the back of the head. Their body is predominantly white with a black back and wings. Female Buffleheads, on the other hand, are more subdued in coloration, with a grayish-brown body and a smaller white cheek patch. Both sexes have a compact, rounded body, and a relatively large head, which gives them their name—derived from “buffalo head.”

Habitat and Geographical Range

Buffleheads are commonly found in shallow bays, estuaries, and sheltered coves where they can easily dive for food. They prefer nesting cavities, often using old holes made by woodpeckers. During the breeding season, Buffleheads are more likely to be found in boreal forests and mixed woodlands, in places further from bays and human settlements.

Geographically, this species covers different ranges depending on the season. They breed primarily in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska and migrate south during the winter. In these non-breeding months, Buffleheads migrate to coastal waters, large lakes, and rivers across the United States, extending down to Mexico.

Common Misidentifications

Buffleheads can be mistaken for other small diving ducks, particularly the closely related Common Goldeneye, Bucephala clangula, and Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica. However, Buffleheads are smaller and have more distinctive head patterns. The male Common Goldeneye has a circular white patch in front of its eye, while Barrow’s Goldeneye males have a crescent-shaped white patch. Female goldeneyes lack the distinct white cheek patch of female Buffleheads and are generally larger.

Conservation Status

From a conservation perspective the Bufflehead is currently considered to be of Least Concern with stable, widely distributed populations. They are highly adaptable to different habitats and will use artificial nesting boxes present in most states. Conservation efforts for Buffleheads include protecting their natural habitats, particularly nesting sites in boreal forests and wintering habitats along coastlines.