The word "bufflehead" is derived from the following sources:
Buff: Referring to the yellowish or buff-colored head of the bird.
Head: The prominent and distinctive head of the bird.
Meaning:
A medium-sized diving duck with a distinctive blocky head and mottled brownish-gray plumage.
Origin:
The term "bufflehead" was first used to describe this species in 1760 by the Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant. It has been retained as the common name for the bird in North America.
Additional Notes:
The scientific name for the bufflehead is Bucephala albeola.
Buffleheads are also known as butterballs or spirit ducks due to their plump appearance and unpredictable flight patterns, respectively.
These ducks breed in North America and migrate south for the winter.
Buffleheads are known for their deep, raspy call and their playful behavior in flocks.
