Enewsletter

The Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), known by some birders as the Spirit Duck for its boundless energy, is the smallest diving duck in North America. These black and white birds are known to be highly active, swimming and diving with ease, although they are more awkward on land due to the position of their legs far back on their bodies. They are recognized as one of the fastest of all waterfowl in flight.

Buffleheads, or 'butterballs' as some hunters like to call them because of the amount of fat their bodies store during migration (115 g - almost 20% of their mass), usually occur in groups of 10 or fewer, and have a breeding range that spans from Quebec to British Columbia and north into the Yukon and Northwest Territories. However, in spring and summer British Columbia and northern Alberta seem to be the preferred spots for breeding Buffleheads.

The species is largely monogamous and partners will remain with the same mate for several years. They make their nests in small cavities, such as the holes vacated by Flickers, lined with downy feathers. The clutch of buff or cream-coloured eggs can be between 4 and 17 eggs, often with an interval of two or three days between when each egg is laid.

In the fall Buffleheads migrate east, south and southeast, with the largest numbers migrating over the prairies making their way to the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. Buffleheads are punctual in their return to wintering grounds along the Pacific coast.

According to a study carried out by James Finley, who has been observing these birds at Sidney Channel Important Bird Area (IBA) for many years, Buffleheads arrive at Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary on Vancouver Island on the 298th solar day of the year, every year. This timing equates to the 15th day of October (except in Leap Years), and October 15 has come to be known as All Buffleheads Day in recognition of the annual migratory event.

In early November 1940, a flock of Buffleheads literally crashed into the Saskatchewan prairie during their peak migration – perhaps due to an extreme weather event. On the 70th anniversary of what some call the Great Bufflehead Crash, that incident still serves to bring the affected communities together to conserve Bufflehead habitat, and to fuel the passion of nature enthusiasts in their observations of the Bufflehead.

At this summer's annual general meeting in Prince Edward Island, Nature Canada members passed a resolution commending the District of North Saanich and the Town of Sidney – which features the Bufflehead on its coat of arms - for their efforts to protect essential Bufflehead habitat in Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, one of the oldest national marine bird sanctuaries on Canada's west coast.

This October 15, take a moment to consider the Bufflehead and the special place it holds in Canada's natural history!