Tag Archives: Bufflehead

Buffleheads

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Sunday, May 2, 2010,

Back in March, my friend Sue, of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, asked me if I could get some pics of Bufflehead Ducks. So I decided to paddle the Lower Carmans River where it passes through Wertheim Refuge. This was not exactly a chore as I really like this stretch of river at any time of year. As a matter of fact, I went two days in a row. I also know from past experience that this is a good place to find Buffleheads.

Here’s one.

Male Bufflehead


Here’s two.

Buffleheads, male at left, female at right.


Here’s a whole herd of them.

A flock of Buffleheads.

JK

Bufflehead

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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I am not a birder but I am fairly certain that this is a male Bufflehead duck. Buffleheads are very small ducks that, like Mergansers, dive for their meals. Unlike other diving ducks, Buffleheads are capable of vertical takeoffs. Supposedly. I have seen this guy with another male on several occasions but I have never seen either dive or exhibit the flight trick. Both have flown short distances but neither has actually left the water in my presence. They seem to use these short flights to cross the water in a hurry. I may be witnessing distraction displays because these guys usually “fly” perpendicular to my boat rather than straight away. JK