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Averaging 35.5 cm (14.0 in) and 370 g (13 oz), it rivals the green-winged teal as the smallest American duck. The bufflehead has a wingspan of 21.6 in (55 cm). [7] Adult males are striking black and white, with iridescent green and purple heads and a large white patch behind the eye.
For example, the white-faced whistling ducks with more black coloration are commonly found in western Africa where rainfall supersedes the dry season. The back and wings are dark brown to black, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The neck is chestnut. Males and females have similar plumage.
The black and the white-winged scoters are physically very similar to the surf scoter but in flight, the surf scoter is the only one with completely dark wings. [13] Like all sea ducks, the surf scoter becomes flightless during the simultaneous molt of its flight feathers. This vulnerable period happens usually in late July through early August ...
A black crown stripe runs over the top of the head, with chestnut patches on either side. A black-bordered white collar separates the head from the breast. The body is largely a lighter slate blue with chestnut sides. A black-bordered white bar divides the breast vertically from the sides. The tail is black, long and pointed.
The genus Bucephala was introduced in 1858 by American naturalist Spencer Baird with the bufflehead as the type species. [1] [2] The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek βουκέφαλος bouképhalos, meaning ' bullheaded ', from boûs ' bull ', and kephalḗ, ' head ', a reference to the crest of the bufflehead making its head look large.
The fulvous whistling duck feeds in wetlands by day or night, often in mixed flocks with relatives such as white-faced or black-bellied whistling ducks. Its food is generally plant material, including seeds, bulbs, grasses and stems, but females may include animal items such as aquatic worms , molluscs and insects as they prepare for egg-laying ...
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The specific epithet albellus is a Latin diminutive of albus meaning "white". [8] The term smew has been used since the 17th century and is of uncertain origin. It is believed to be related to the Dutch smient ("wigeon") and the German Schmeiente or Schmünte, "wild duck." [9] It is probably derived from smee, a dialectal term for a wild duck ...