A flock of about 30 bufflehead ducks has been flying into Great Cove to play and hunt daily, usually between mid-tide and high tide. They’re North America’s smallest (and cutest, I think) diving ducks. They’re a little more than a foot long and reportedly weigh about a pound.
Buffleheads get their name from the swelled shape of their heads, which are somewhat similarly shaped to those of American buffalos (bison). Males sport white hoods and lower bodies; females wear a white cheek streak and mostly brown, gray, and black bodies:
These little ducks often hunt in groups, with one or two remaining on the surface while the others dive for food. They move quickly from spot to spot looking for food. In the winter, buffleheads reportedly eat mostly small fish, clams, mussels, crabs, snails, and a few aquatic plants. They nest in late winter and early spring, usually in abandoned woodpecker cavities. (Images taken October 24 and November 2, 2025.)