Bufflehead

Bucephala albeola (Linnaeus, 1758)

Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola, is a duck of North America, breeding across subarctic western Alaska and Canada east to eastern Quebec, with local breeding in north-western and north-central USA. In winter it moves as far south as central Mexico and northern Florida. It is a small sea duck in the genus Bucephala, and the species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. The bird nests in tree cavities, usually reusing old flicker holes, and prefers sites close to water. It is a diving duck that forages underwater.

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans

Breeding range

North America: subarctic wc Alaska and Canada e to e Quebec and (locally) nw, nc USA

Nonbreeding range

to c Mexico and n Florida