Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Torrey Wenger
Hamilton, ON. 3/14/2009 © Greg Schneider
(Click to view a comparison of Atlas I to II)
The Bufflehead, which breeds only in North The first stage occurs in summer, when groups of failed or nonbreeding females visit nest America, is our smallest diving duck. It nests in cavities and exhibit typical vocalizations and flicker-sized woodpecker holes near ponds and flight patterns (Palmer 1976, Gauthier 1993). small lakes in the boreal forests of Canada. Prospecting flights coincide with the late Bufflehead breeding habitat is dominated by incubation stage and may be used by females to ponds and small lakes, where the birds dive for gain information on the status of a cavity, or on insect larvae and amphipods (Gauthier 1993). It its quality (Eadie and Gauthier 1985). In the faces competition for nesting cavities from both second stage, nest cavities are sought directly larger ducks (such as the related goldeneyes) before egg-laying. Females presumably visit and smaller passerines (Gauthier 1993). sites they had inspected the previous summer.
Pre-laying nest searches are more secretive than Pair-bonding has generally occurred by the time those post-laying; females fly alone (or with the ducks head north, somewhat later than other their mate) and never vocalize (Eadie and waterfowl (Gauthier 1993). The Possible Gauthier 1985). The easiest way to confirm breeding observations in the Lower Peninsula breeding is to spot a female with ducklings on a are most likely these north-bound pairs. feeding territory, especially if two females Probable breeding was documented during become involved in a territorial dispute. MBBA I in Iron and Keweenaw Counties Unfortunately, any Bufflehead breeding in the (Adams 1991). During MBBA II, two UP UP is likely on a remote lake not frequented by counties (Alger and Houghton) recorded human observers. Possible breeding. Nesting has been confirmed at UP latitudes in southern Ontario, including a
Probable near the St. Marys River west of Sault The population is limited by the availability of Ste. Marie (Mallory 2007). It is not impossible nesting cavities and by territory size; that Bufflehead may nest in the UP. additionally, Buffleheads are supplanted by
goldeneyes during territorial disputes. Logging in the boreal forests may both reduce the Both males and females are highly territorial. number of cavities and degrade lakeside habitat. Nest selection probably occurs in two stages.
© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Torrey Wenger
Nest boxes are an effective management tool Palmer, R.S. 1976. Handbook of North when properly sized and placed in appropriate American Birds, Volume 3. Waterfowl habitat (Gauthier 1993). Bufflehead harvest has (concluded). Yale University Press. been trending up in both Michigan and the U.S. Hartford, CT. since 1961 (USFWS 2010), reflecting the Raftovich, R.V., K.A. Wilkins, K.D. Richkus, population increase shown by BBS data (Sauer S.S. Williams, and H.L. Spriggs. 2010. et al. 2008). Range wide its population has Migratory Bird Hunting Activity and shown a statistically significant increase of Harvest During the 2008 and 2009 Hunting 3.5% annually since 1966 (Sauer et al. 2008), Seasons. US Fish and Wildlife Service, despite hunting pressures. Laurel, MD. Sauer, J.R., J.E. Hines, and J. Fallon. 2008. In 2008 and 2009, Buffleheads were ~10% of The North American Breeding Bird Survey, the total ducks harvested in Michigan, ~1.5% of Results and Analysis, 1966-2007. Version those harvested in the Mississippi Flyway, and 5.15.2008. USGS Patuxent Wildlife ~1.8% of those harvested in the U.S. (Raftovich Research Center. Laurel, MD. et al. 2010). Regulated hunting has not U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2010. adversely affected the population, although local Flyways.U.S. Waterfowl hunting populations may be extirpated; since management in North America: Regulations Buffleheads exhibit strong site fidelity to both and harvest: Harvest trends for ducks and their wintering grounds and breeding lakes, geese. [Online] recolonization may be slow (Gauthier 1993). At
Literature Cited Suggested Citation
Adams, R.J. Jr. 1991. Bufflehead (Bucephala Wenger, T. 2011. Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola). In Brewer, R., G.A. McPeek, and albeola). In Chartier, A.T., J.J. Baldy, and R.J. Adams Jr. (eds.). 1991. The Atlas of J.M. Brenneman (eds.). 2010-2011. The Breeding Birds of Michigan. Michigan Second Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas. State University Press. East Lansing, MI. Kalamazoo Nature Center. Kalamazoo, MI. Gauthier, G.. 1993. Bufflehead (Buchephala Accessed online at:
© 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center