Drake Bufflehead

Drake Bufflehead and Hooded Merganser

SIZE

Average size = length 14"

Average weight = 1 lbs

Wingspan = 23"

DESCRIPTION

The Drake has a puffy purplish head with a large white patch extending from his cheek up to the top of his head. He has a black back with white wing patches, and a white underside, and flesh colored feet. The Hen has a dark gray head with a smaller white cheek patch a white underside dark gray feet, and both have blue gray bills.

ABOUT THEM

The Bufflehead is the smallest of the Diving Ducks we see, it is very distinguishable because of their almost all white and black appearance. They fly low and fast at speeds exceeding 70 mph. The Drake has a squeaky whistle and the Hen gives out a hoarse quack. They have a very rapid wing beat and fly in small irregular flocks. The breeding population in the eastern US was at 95,000, a big increase from 2000. Most of our Buffleheads winter along the Gulf coast. The Hen will lay about 9 eggs.