This week for Flora and Fauna Friday it’s a one of our winter waterfowl, the Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola).
Buoying between the breakwaters and burying itself beneath the brine is how the Bufflehead enjoys its vacations Edisto Island. One of our most common winter waterfowl, the Bufflehead can often be spotted cruising down our creeks or sailing through the surf and sea throughout the winter months. They are common in winter throughout the coastal United States and breed in Canada come warmer times. Buffleheads are our smallest diving duck and about the size of a Teal. The birds have a short bill, large round head, and a mainly monochromatic plumage. Females have a circular head that’s charcoal-black with a white elongated spot below and behind the eye. Their above is that same charcoal black and the below a sooty gray and white. Males are a bit more over-stated with an ink-black back, ice-white belly, and a tall pointed head wrapped in an iridescent sheen of green that blends into purple and topped with a snow-white edge pointing down to the eye and drawing your attention beyond to the aluminum-gray bill. Buffleheads are diving ducks and thus they stick to deeper waters. You’ll most often spot them on lakes, deepwater creeks, inlets, and just off the beach cruising alone or in small flocks. To dive, they throw themselves forward, head outstretched, and slip beneath the drink. Underwater they search for crustaceans, mollusks, and snails to eat and generally stay under for about ten to fifteen seconds.
