Bufflehead Bucephala albeola

Identification Tips:

• Length: 10 inches Wingspan: 24 inches
• Very small compact diving duck
• Very small dark gray bill
• Immature female similar to adult female, but immature male has a larger white cheek patch

Adult male alternate:

• Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer
• Dark glossy head
• Large white patch on the head from behind the eye
• White breast, belly and flanks
• Dark back
• Inner wing white and outer wing dark, visible in flight

Adult male basic:

• Similar to adult female but with a larger white cheek patch

Adult female:

• Dark brown head and body, breast and flanks paler
• Oval white patch on face behind eye
• White belly
• White inner secondaries and otherwise dark wing, visible in flight

Similar species:

Female Bufflehead distinguished from female Harlequin Duck by white secondaries and single white patch behind the eye.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.