Buffleheads are a small species of diving duck found primarily in North America. The males have distinctive white bodies and black backs and heads that give them a unique appearance. Their name “bufflehead” refers to the buffalo-like shape of their head. But why are they called buffleheads in the first place? There are a few possible explanations for the origin of their interesting name.
What are Buffleheads?
Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) are small diving ducks that belong to the genus Bucephala. Here are some key facts about buffleheads:
Size and Appearance
– Buffleheads are very small ducks, with males measuring around 14 inches long and weighing only 1 pound. Females are slightly smaller at 12 inches long.
– Males have bright white bodies, with black backs and heads. Their heads are large and rounded, like a buffalo. Females are gray-brown with a white patch on the cheek.
– In flight, buffleheads exhibit rapid wing beats and can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. Their small size allows them to take off almost vertically from the water.
Habitat and Range
– Buffleheads breed in forested areas of North America from Alaska and Canada down to northern states like Oregon, Minnesota, and Maine.
– They spend winters along both coasts of the U.S., as well as the Great Lakes region and Gulf of Mexico.
– migration anymore.
– Their breeding habitat consists of wooded lakes and ponds near coniferous or deciduous forests. They nest in cavities in trees close to the water.
Diet and Feeding
– Buffleheads feed by diving underwater to depths up to 20 feet in search of food. They mainly eat insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and plant vegetation.
– Their legs are set far back on their bodies, making them awkward on land, but excellent divers and swimmers underwater.
So in summary, buffleheads are petite diving ducks with striking black and white markings. The males have uniquely shaped large heads that resemble buffalos. Now let’s explore why they have this memorable name.
Theories on the Origin of “Bufflehead”
There are a few possible explanations for why this species came to be called the bufflehead:
Shape of the Male’s Head
The most straightforward theory is that the name refers to the distinctive shape of the male bufflehead’s head. Their heads are very large and rounded, much like the head of a buffalo or bison. This buffalo-like head is the most characteristic feature of the males.
Early European settlers in North America named many birds after familiar animals from back home. When they saw the bufflehead, they likely thought the male’s uniquely shaped head resembled a tiny buffalo, and thus called it the “bufflehead”.
Confusion with Buffalos
Another idea is that the name stemmed from confusion between buffleheads and the American bison. When European colonists and explorers first arrived in North America, they came across many new species they had never seen before.
Upon seeing buffleheads near bodies of water, some people may have mistaken the small ducks for juvenile buffalos or “buffalo calves” due to their comparable head shapes. Calling them “buffleheads” may have been a case of mistaken identity.
“Buffeting” Courting Behavior
A third hypothesis involves the courtship behavior of male buffleheads. To attract females, males frequently bob their heads up and down and “buffet” their heads against the female’s body. This forceful buffeting behavior with their heads gave rise to the name “bufflehead”.
Early observers of buffleheads may have noticed the males buffeting and thought it had to do with their buffalo-shaped heads, even if the actual origin of the name was different.
Earliest Known Use of “Bufflehead”
The term “bufflehead” to refer specifically to this species of duck dates back to at least 1789. The earliest known published use of the name is found in Johann Friedrich Gmelin’s edition of Systema Naturae by Carl Linnaeus.
In this important scientific text that catalogued all known species, the species is listed as “Anas albeola” (its scientific name at the time), with the common name in English as “The Buffle headed Duck”.
So the name bufflehead clearly arose sometime in the 18th century, during the period North America was being extensively explored by Europeans. However, determining the exact origin is difficult since written records are sparse. The three theories of the male head shape, confusion with buffalo, and courtship behavior provide plausible explanations for how early observers came up with the memorable name for this duck.
How “Bufflehead” Changed Over Time
While bufflehead is the established term today, the name has taken various forms throughout history:
Spirit Duck
One of the very earliest names used for this species by English settlers in America was “spirit duck.” This referred to the bufflehead’s habit of appearing and disappearing rapidly when diving. Their quick diving abilities made them seem elusive or ghost-like.
Butter Ball and Butterbox
Other early English names were “butter ball” and “butter box”, referencing the bufflehead’s round, plump shape. These names emphasized more generalized aspects of their appearance, unlike the more specific bufflehead.
Buffle-headed duck
Earlier on, the two-word version “buffle-headed duck” was also commonly used. Over time this was gradually condensed down to the single compound word “bufflehead”.
Scientific Name Changes
The scientific name also changed from Anas albeola to the current Bucephala albeola. This genus change happened early in the 19th century as scientists reclassified the relationships between duck species.
So while bufflehead is the firmly established name now, other creative names were used early on until bufflehead became the consensus. The word itself also underwent transformation from a hyphenated phrase to the single-word form we know today.
Conclusion
In summary, the origins of the name “bufflehead” for this small diving duck can likely be traced back to the distinctive bulbous head shape of the males that resembles a buffalo or bison. But over time, the exact roots have become unclear. Other theories point to early confusion between the ducks and buffalo, or the male’s courting behavior.
While we may never be absolutely certain how they got their quirky name, it provides a glimpse into the European exploration and settlement of North America, and early naturalists’ attempts to catalogue the continent’s unfamiliar wildlife. The bufflehead stands out for having one of the more peculiar and whimsical names of all North American birds.
Name | Year | Key Details |
---|---|---|
Spirit duck | 1600s | One of the earliest English names, referring to the bufflehead’s elusive diving abilities |
Butter ball | 1700s | Described the round, plump shape of the birds |
Buffle-headed duck | 1700s-1800s | Earlier hyphenated form of the name |
Bufflehead | 1800s | Single-word form that became the established name |
Key Takeaways
– Male buffleheads have uniquely shaped large, rounded heads that likely led to their name, due to the resemblance to buffalos.
– Other possible origins include early confusion with juvenille buffalo, or the male’s bobbing courtship behavior.
– The name has taken different forms over time, including spirit duck, butter ball, and buffle-headed duck.
– Bufflehead was firmly established sometime in the 19th century.
– The interesting name provides a window into early European exploration and study of North American wildlife.