Buffleheads are small diving ducks that breed in Canada and the northern United States and migrate south for the winter. They can be found in Texas during the winter months, primarily on coastal waters and inland reservoirs and lakes. But are they considered rare in Texas?
Brief Overview of Buffleheads
Let’s start with a quick overview of some key facts about Buffleheads:
- Scientific name: Bucephala albeola
- Average length: 13-15 inches
- Average wingspan: 20-24 inches
- Average weight: 12-13 ounces
- Males have an iridescent plumage with a large white patch behind the eye during breeding season
- Females are grayish-brown with a white patch below the eye
- Nest in tree cavities, often old flicker holes
- Diet consists of insects, mollusks, and crustaceans
Buffleheads are migratory birds that breed predominantly in Canada and the northern United States, including Alaska. They migrate south starting in September and spend the winter along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts, as well as inland reservoirs and lakes. Their wintering range extends as far south as central Mexico.
Bufflehead Population in North America
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Buffleheads have a large population in North America with an estimated 1.5 million birds in 2015. The overall population trend since 1966 is increasing at about 1.1% per year. Their breeding habitat is widespread across Canada and the northern U.S. Here is a table summarizing the estimated population and trends:
Area | Estimated Population | Trend 1966-2015 |
---|---|---|
Continental US and Canada | 1.5 million | Increasing +1.1% per year |
Alaska | 200,000-300,000 | Stable |
Central Canada | 500,000 | Increasing +2.2% per year |
Western North America | 800,000 | Increasing +1.1% per year |
Based on these numbers, Buffleheads have a relatively large and healthy population across North America. Their numbers are stable or increasing in most regions according to long-term surveys.
Bufflehead Winter Distribution and Abundance
During winter, Buffleheads are found predominantly along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Coasts of North America. They also inhabit inland lakes and reservoirs. Here is a summary of their distribution and relative abundance during winter months:
- Atlantic Coast – Common along coast from Maine to Florida. Highest concentrations from New York to North Carolina.
- Pacific Coast – Common along entire coast from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. Highest numbers in Puget Sound and San Francisco Bay.
- Gulf Coast – Common along entire coast from Florida to Mexico. Peak numbers in Laguna Madre of southern Texas.
- Interior Regions – Scattered inland locations, favoring reservoirs, lakes and rivers. Highest concentrations at Great Lakes and reservoirs in Central California.
- Mexico – Uncommon to fairly common. Found mainly along northern Gulf Coast down to Tampico.
In summary, Buffleheads winter along all major coastlines of North America as well as scattered inland sites. Their abundance ranges from fairly common to abundant in concentrated coastal areas like Chesapeake Bay, Puget Sound and Laguna Madre in Texas.
Buffleheads in Texas
During winter months, Buffleheads can be found across most of Texas except for the western Trans-Pecos region. Here are some key facts about their abundance and distribution in Texas:
- Coastal areas hold the largest concentrations, especially Laguna Madre along the southern coast which supports 100,000-200,000 birds.
- Fairly common along inland reservoirs, lakes and ponds throughout eastern two-thirds of Texas.
- Rare to uncommon in western third of Texas except along Rio Grande River corridor.
- Rare vagrant in far west Trans-Pecos region.
- Most abundant from October to April.
- Peak concentrations February-March.
Here is a table summarizing abundance levels of Buffleheads across different regions of Texas:
Region | Abundance Level |
---|---|
Upper Coast and Red River Valley | Fairly Common |
Central and Western Gulf Coast | Common |
Inland reservoirs and lakes of eastern TX | Fairly Common |
Edwards Plateau and south Texas plains | Uncommon |
Western Rio Grande River Valley | Uncommon |
Trans Pecos and Panhandle | Rare |
In summary, Buffleheads are most abundant along the Texas Gulf Coast, especially the Laguna Madre region. They are less common but regular inhabitants of inland lakes and reservoirs in eastern Texas during winter. Their numbers drop off further west with the Trans Pecos being beyond the regular winter range.
Comparison to Other Texas Wintering Waterfowl
To put their relative abundance in perspective, it is useful to compare Bufflehead numbers to some other common waterfowl species wintering in Texas:
- Redheads – 1-2 million birds winter in Texas coastal areas and inland
- Northern Pintails – 500,000-1,000,000 winter in Texas, mostly coast and eastern half of state
- Green-winged Teal – 100,000-200,000 winter in Texas
- Canvasbacks – 50,000-75,000 winter in Texas
- Buffleheads – 100,000-200,000 winter in Texas, predominantly coast
- Ring-necked Ducks – 75,000-100,000 winter in Texas
Based on these estimates, Buffleheads rank in the top 5-10 most abundant waterfowl species wintering in Texas annually. They are less common than ubiquitous ducks like Redheads but on par with Canvasbacks and Ring-necked Ducks in their Texas numbers and distribution.
Bufflehead Population Trends in Texas
Looking at population trends over the past 50 years provides insight into whether Bufflehead numbers are increasing, decreasing or stable in Texas:
- Texas Mid-winter Waterfowl Survey shows stable to slightly increasing numbers since the 1960s
- National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count data indicates increasing numbers in Texas since the 1960s
- Breeding Bird Survey data from 1966-2015 shows continental population increasing +1.1% annually
While detailed historical data is lacking, most surveys suggest Bufflehead numbers in Texas are stable or slightly increasing over the past 40-50 years consistent with the growth of the continental population. There is no evidence of a pronounced decline in their Texas numbers that would suggest they are becoming rarer.
Protected Status
Buffleheads have no special conservation status or legal protections in Texas at either the state or federal level. They are classified as a game species and subject to regulated hunting within existing duck hunting frameworks. The lack of protected status further suggests that Bufflehead populations are stable and not a species of concern from a conservation perspective.
Ease of Observation
Anecdotal reports from birders and nature enthusiasts provide insight into current abundance levels. Based on eBird checklists, Buffleheads are reported quite frequently across Texas during winter months in expected coastal and inland areas within their range. They do not appear exceptionally difficult to find or observe. This provides further evidence that they remain fairly common and widespread where suitable habitat exists in Texas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Buffleheads remain a regular and locally common winter visitor along the Texas Gulf Coast, particularly the Laguna Madre region. They also occur in fair numbers on reservoirs, lakes and ponds in eastern Texas. Their abundance levels are on par with birds like Canvasbacks and Ring-necked Ducks. Long-term population trends suggest numbers are stable or slightly increasing in Texas. They have no special conservation status and remain a legally hunted species. Based on all of these factors, Buffleheads cannot be considered rare in Texas but are a regular component of the state’s diverse wintering waterfowl populations.