OK technically it is a raft or paddling of buffleheads since they are in the water, but I just couldn’t pass up using badelynge (pronounced bad-ling), which refers a group of ducks on land. Buffleheads are my favorite little sea duck, and I have the pleasure of regularly seeing this group on Smiths Cove from my window.
Buffleheads have evolved their small size in order to fit into the nesting cavity of their “metabiotic” host, the Northern Flicker. Due to their small size, they are highly active, diving almost continuously. They do not tend to collect in large flocks; but are usually limited to small rafts. One duck will serve as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food. Buffleheads are among the last waterfowl to leave their breeding grounds and one of the world’s most punctual migrants, arriving on their wintering grounds within a narrow margin of time each year. Buffleheads are monogamous, and the females return to the same breeding site, year after year. (adapted from Wikipedia)
E.J. Lefavour
One bufflehead stays on the surface as a sentry! I thought he was just lazy and his lady friends brought him mussels. I think we need to convince Craig to put a waterproof camera underwater. I want to know what these dudes are doing down there.
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They’re just so cute. Great picture.
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Feel very lucky to see these they are pretty hard to find -Bufflehead, which is one of the scarcest ducks in North America.. Seen out west also –
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They definitely aren’t…Saw thousands on the Chesapeake bay while striper fishing 2 weeks ago. Also shot a few this morning on Lake Anna, and saw many others.
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I hope you mean that you shot them with your camera, not shot them dead.
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Can’t eat photos
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