Photo 1: A Male Bufflehead near Campbell River

Bufflehead: Bucephala albeola

Buffleheads are common winter residents to the shores around Vancouver Island. They are diving ducks, feeding off of insects, snails, small fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.

 Identification: Male Buffleheads have a dark face and neck with a purple-green gloss. They have a large white patch from their eyes to the back of their head. They have small gray bills. Females have a gray-brown body with white cheek patches.

 A Female Bufflehead

 Other Vancouver Island Birds: Bald Eagle, Trumpeter Swan, Blue Grouse, Common Merganser, American Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, Mallard, Bufflehead, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Varied Thrush