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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.
The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek boukephalos ("bullheaded", from bous, "bull " and kephale, "head"), a reference to the bulbous head shape of the bufflehead. The species name is derived from the Latin clangere ("to resound"). Common goldeneyes are aggressive and territorial ducks, and have elaborate courtship displays. [2]
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.
[6] [7] The most noticeable feature on adult birds, is the dark body contrasting with a whitish head and neck. Males have mostly dull yellowish bill, blackish mottling on the head and upper neck, white lesser median coverts and inner edges of tertials and bluish-grey secondaries. In flight, white wing-coverts contrast with the rest of the wings.
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.
In fact, head pumping is one of the main ways male and female Mallard Ducks flirt. Another sign that a Mallard Duck is digging you, is when the drake pulls his wings and tail up to show off his ...
The white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a small diving duck some 45 cm (18 in) long. The male has a white head with black crown, a blue bill, and reddish-grey plumage. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin.
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