Buffleheads are small sea ducks that belong to the genus Bucephala. They are native to North America and are one of the smallest diving ducks found on the continent. Buffleheads are migratory birds that breed in Canada and the northern United States and winter along both coasts and in parts of the southern United States and Mexico.
Two subspecies of Bufflehead occur in North America:
- Bucephala albeola albeola – Found across Canada, Alaska and the northern United States
- Bucephala albeola carolinensis – Breeds from Manitoba east to Quebec and south to Minnesota and Maine
The male Bufflehead has an iridescent head that shifts between purple, green and bronze depending on the angle and light conditions. Their compact size allows them to dive and swim underwater efficiently in search of food. Buffleheads mainly eat insects, mollusks, crustaceans and some plant material.
Are Buffleheads Found in Maine?
Yes, Buffleheads are found in Maine throughout the year. The state provides important habitat for breeding, migrating and wintering Buffleheads.
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, an estimated 15,000 Buffleheads breed in Maine each year, mostly across the northern and eastern parts of the state. The subspecies that breeds in Maine is Bucephala albeola carolinensis.
Buffleheads arrive in Maine in April and May to establish breeding territories on lakes, ponds, rivers and coastal estuaries. They prefer to nest in tree cavities made by woodpeckers and other cavity nesting birds. After breeding, most Buffleheads migrate south by November.
Some Buffleheads overwinter along the coast of Maine. Mid-winter surveys by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife between 2016-2020 estimate around 19,700 Buffleheads wintering in Maine. Major wintering areas include Casco Bay and other coastal estuaries which provide food resources and shelter from winter storms.
Breeding
Buffleheads arrive in Maine from late March to early May to breed. The males arrive before the females to establish and defend nesting territories. Buffleheads are one of the latest ducks to arrive for breeding in Maine.
They favor wooded areas near lakes, ponds, rivers and estuaries to breed. Competition for the limited number of suitable nest cavities is intense. Bufflehead pairs select a cavity in a live or dead tree, stump or even an artificial nest box. Cavities are usually 4 to 40 feet above ground and within 1 mile of water.
Nesting and Egg Laying
The female lines the interior cavity with down feathers plucked from her breast to create a nest. Buffleheads lay between 6-16 white eggs. The eggs are incubated for around 30 days before hatching. The female is responsible for incubating the eggs, while the male waits nearby to guard the nest.
Bufflehead pairs are monogamous for a breeding season but find new mates each year. One of the unique aspects of Bufflehead breeding behavior is that other female ducks often lay eggs in nests of breeding pairs. This is called intraspecific brood parasitism. The breeding female accepts these additional eggs and will incubate them as her own.
Raising Young
Bufflehead ducklings have an unusually short nestling period of only 1 day. Within 24 hours of hatching, the ducklings will jump from their high tree cavity nest to the ground or water below. The fall does not injure the lightweight ducklings. The female flies to the ground and calls the ducklings to follow her to water where she protects and leads them.
The ducklings fledge at around 55 days old but remain with the female for up to 3 months as they learn to forage and avoid predators. Males do not participate in rearing the young. By late October, the adults abandon the juveniles, who join together in large flocks and migrate south independently.
Migration
Buffleheads are one of the last duck species to depart their breeding grounds in Maine. Most leave their nesting territories by late October and early November to begin fall migration south. Their short, rounded wings provide rapid flight needed to undertake long migrations.
Some key facts about Bufflehead migration:
- They migrate mainly at night and winter along both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.
- East coast birds primarily follow the Atlantic Flyway over the ocean.
- West coast birds migrate down the Pacific Flyway.
- They winter as far south as Mexico.
- Most birds migrate south by November and north again by April.
Stopover Sites
On migration, Buffleheads stop to rest and feed at lakes, rivers and coastal estuaries. Important stopover sites in Maine include Merrymeeting Bay, the St. George River, Cutler Harbor and the Penobscot River. These areas provide abundant food resources to rebuild energy reserves required for migrating long distances.
Buffleheads may migrate over 4,300 miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. Males and females often winter in different locations. Males tend to winter further north than females.
Wintering in Maine
While most Buffleheads that breed in Maine migrate south in winter, some birds overwinter in the state, primarily along the coast. Coastal Maine offers prime habitat for wintering Buffleheads with its sheltered bays, estuaries and nutrient-rich waters.
Mid-winter waterfowl surveys by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife between 2016-2020 provide population estimates of wintering Buffleheads:
Year | Estimated Number of Buffleheads |
---|---|
2020 | 19,653 |
2019 | 21,970 |
2018 | 24,006 |
2017 | 16,818 |
2016 | 16,450 |
The table shows between 16,000 – 24,000 Buffleheads wintering along the Maine coast during recent surveys. These winter groups represent a mix of birds that bred in Maine and more northern regions.
Some major wintering sites for Buffleheads in Maine:
- Casco Bay – hosts Maine’s largest wintering flock
- Penobscot Bay
- Muscongus Bay
- Johns Bay
- East Machias Bay
- Passamaquoddy Bay – shares wintering birds with New Brunswick
Winter Diet
Buffleheads feed extensively on small marine invertebrates in coastal waters during winter. Common foods include:
- Amphipods
- Isopods
- Mollusks
- Worms
- Aquatic insects
- Fish eggs and larvae
- Small fish
Their compact size allows them to dive and forage efficiently even in cold coastal waters. Buffleheads can dive up to 20 feet deep to find food. Males and females form large foraging flocks that roam between feeding sites.
Threats and Conservation
While still relatively common, Bufflehead numbers declined across North America during the 20th century due to several threats:
- Habitat loss – Draining of wetlands removes crucial nesting and migration habitat.
- Nest competition – Increasing numbers of Common Goldeneyes compete for nest sites.
- Disturbance – Human recreation impacts breeding and wintering areas.
- Pollution – Oil spills, chemical contamination, sewage runoff.
However, conservation measures have helped stabilize Bufflehead populations more recently:
- Legal protection – Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal to harm Buffleheads.
- Nest boxes – Provide alternative cavities for breeding.
- Habitat conservation – Protecting and managing key wetlands.
- Reduced pesticide use – Lowers contamination of waterways.
Maine plays an important role in Bufflehead conservation by protecting nesting habitat and wintering areas. State wildlife management and regulations allow Bufflehead populations to thrive.
For example, Maine’s Shorebird Management System designates essential coastal wintering locations as “areas of management concern” to limit development and human disturbance during winter.
Outlook
With sustained conservation actions, Bufflehead populations remain in a relatively healthy state compared to other North American ducks. Their breeding range spans across Canada and the northern United States, including Maine. And Maine’s coastal estuaries will continue providing safe wintering areas for migrating and resident Buffleheads into the future.
Conclusion
In summary, Buffleheads are indeed found in Maine throughout the year as both breeding and wintering birds. An estimated 15,000 nest in the state each spring and summer, mostly across northern and eastern regions. While some migrate south in winter, thousands of Buffleheads overwinter along the protective coastline of Maine. Conservation efforts focused on wetland protection and management will ensure Maine continues providing crucial habitat for Buffleheads.