buffleheads

Buffleheads are small diving ducks found in North America. Both males and females are relatively compact with large heads. The male, or drake, is distinguished by its iridescent greenish-black back and sides, a stark white belly, and a distinctive white patch on the side of its head, often described as a "bagel" shape. The female, or hen, is primarily a dull grayish-brown with a dark back and a more subdued white patch behind the eye. Their bills are short and broad.

These ducks are strong fliers and can be seen migrating in large numbers in the spring and fall. They nest in tree cavities, often near water, and are one of the few duck species that utilize these natural shelters. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic invertebrates, such as crustaceans and insects, which they forage for by diving. Buffleheads are often seen in small flocks or pairs. Their common name is thought to derive from the Old English word "buffel," referring to a wild ox, possibly due to the male's large, puffy head. They are commonly found on freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes during the breeding season, and move to coastal areas during the winter months.