Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
bufflehead

bufflehead

1 9.9
A small diving duck with a large white patch on the head
  • noun
  • /ˈbʌfəlˌhɛd/
  • US
translation icon : pato bufflehead
  • Divers—bluebills, redheads, goldeneyes, and bufflehead—are rolling, albeit slowly, onto Upper Midwest big waters.
  • bufflehead duck

Examples

  • The lake was full of ducks, including Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall.

    Blog text (14)

  • At the pond, a group of buffleheads splashed around, their distinctive head markings easily noticeable.

  • The bufflehead, with its striking white head, is often spotted diving for food near the glassy lake surface.

  • Many birdwatchers are eager to photograph the male bufflehead due to its unique and vibrant plumage.

Synonyms

butterball
vsbufflehead
  • US
3 9.7

A small North American diving duck with a round head and bushy feathers

is the primary common name rather than a variant
Bucephela albeola
vsbufflehead
  • Specialized
9.9

A small North American diving duck whose male has a round head with a white patch

is the common English name rather than the scientific label
dipper
vsbufflehead
  • US
9.0

A small North American duck with a bushy head that dives underwater

is the established common name used for that duck

Surface Forms

bufflehead singular
buffleheads plural

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the word bufflehead is to see it as buffle + head, a playful image meaning a 'puffed' or 'buffalo' head because the male duck has a very large, round white head. That's why the name fits this small North American diving duck.