Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola) Y |
 |
RANGE: Breeds from central Alaska to northeastern Manitoba and
northern Ontario south to northern Washington, southern Manitoba
and locally in southern Ontario; also locally south to the
mountains of northern California, and to Wyoming, Iowa, and
Wisconsin. Winters from the Aleutian Islands on the Pacific
Coast, the Great Lakes, and Newfoundland on the Atlantic, south
in coastal states and the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys to the
southern United States and Mexico.
STATUS: Common.
HABITAT: Primarily inhabits small, shallow, fresh or slightly
alkaline lakes and ponds, preferably without broad margins of
emergent or floating aquatic vegetation, in mixed
coniferous-deciduous woodlands north and west of the Great
Plains. Logs, stumps, rocks, open shore, and sometimes fence
rails near water are used for resting and loafing. Winters in
sheltered marine habitats, or on brackish or freshwater.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Tree cavities excavated by
woodpeckers, especially northern flickers, near shallow, fertile
waters in forested regions. Strongest nesting habitat
association along lake and pond shorelines and islands.
NEST: Prefers to nest in aspen trees near water containing
unaltered northern flicker holes, but will also use pileated
woodpecker holes. Also nests in Douglas-fir, balsam poplar,
black cottonwood, ponderosa pine, and a few other coniferous and
deciduous trees. Nests generally within 75 feet of water and
rarely in dense forest. In some areas, accepts nest boxes 7
inches in diameter and 16 inches deep with entrances 2 7/8
inches wide.
FOOD: Prefers to forage in shallow water, diving to depths of 6
to 10 feet for food which is primarily animal material. In
summer, mostly eats aquatic insects and larvae, but also
includes water boatmen, shrimplike amphipods, some snails and
small fishes, and seeds of pondweeds and naiads. During winter,
mostly eats shrimp, snails, and other crustaceans.
REFERENCES: Adamus et al. 2001, Erskine 1971, Johnsgard 1975b,
Miller 1999, Palmer 1976b, Shunk 2004, Terres 1980. |
