The Buffles are Back in Town!

Chris
Dec 5, 2025
2 min read

As winter descends upon the Lynnhaven,

a remarkable visitor dots the estuarial landscape.

The buffle head duck fees mostly underwater and is an accomplished diver, 'flying below the surface' for minutes at a time, foraging on aquatic insects in fresh water or crustaceans in salt water. Photo by Geoffrey Whiteway (1)

One of the most captivating visitors during this season are the bufflehead ducks (Bucephala albeola), a small yet striking waterfowl that brings life and vibrancy to our chilly waters. The frosty waters seems to delight and animate these active birds.

Buffleheads are among the smallest diving ducks in North America. Males are particularly eye-catching with their bold black and white plumage. Females, though less flamboyant, are elegantly clad in brown and gray, providing them with a perfect camouflage against the estuarine backdrop.

Virginia's coastal estuaries serve as crucial wintering grounds for buffleheads. These ducks migrate south from their breeding territories in Canada and the northern United States, seeking the relatively milder temperatures and abundant food sources found in the tidal waters and wetlands of Virginia. The estuaries provide a rich habitat filled with submerged vegetation, invertebrates, and small fish—ideal for the buffleheads.

Buffleheads are known for their distinctive diving behavior, plunging beneath the surface to forage for food. If the water is clear, you can observe the divers from an elevated position, as one can along sections the First Landing State Park trail. They primarily eat aquatic insects, crustaceans, and plant matter, which they skillfully locate in the underwater vegetation. Their foraging technique involves rapid dives, often surfacing with a snack in their bill, much to the delight of birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Bufflehead flocks are relatively small. Most are half the size as pictured above and it is common to see males and females simply paired up.

Bufflehead ducks are a fascinating part of Virginia's winter wildlife scene, and their presence highlights the importance of coastal conservation.

If you’re keen to catch a glimpse of these charming ducks, bundle up and head to the nearest coastal estuary. You might just find yourself enchanted by the antics of these visitors as they dive and frolic in our winter waters.

The wildlife we typically feature on this blog are 'captive critters' who take up residence in our oyster grow-out gear. Here are a few examples:

Prior captive critter posts: