Bufflehead Gallery

Bucephala albeola

eBirds describes the Bufflehead like this:  Small, compact diving duck with large head and small gray bill. Breeding males are black and white with large white patch on back of head. Females and immature males are gray-brown with white patch on cheek. Much smaller than Common Goldeneye with which it often associates. Found in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes in winter. Travels to boreal forest and nests in cavities in summer.  All About Birds gives this additional descriptive information about the Bufflehead:  A buoyant, large-headed duck that abruptly vanishes and resurfaces as it feeds, the tiny Bufflehead spends winters bobbing in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes. Males are striking black-and white from a distance. A closer look at the head shows glossy green and purple setting off the striking white patch. Females are a subdued gray-brown with a neat white patch on the cheek. Bufflehead nest in old woodpecker holes, particularly those made by Northern Flickers, in the forests of northern North America.

I saw my first Bufflehead at Fair Oaks Ranch on February 6, 2022 in the early afternoon.  Dorothy and I had picked up lunch for Liz, David, and J.D. and, after lunch, I slipped away to drive a short distance from their home to a lake located on the Fair Oaks Country Club golf course.  I had noticed on eBird that a Canada Goose was a continuing rarity at that location.  I located the goose, and also watched and photographed some other ducks on the lake.  Among these ducks were several Buffleheads.  Beautiful birds!