by Jared McNabb
Shorter days and dropping temperatures are certain indications that fall is beginning the transition to winter. Around Chandler Pond there are other hints that old man winter is just around the corner and one of the most exciting signs is the arrival of buffleheads. While buffleheads are just one species of winter waterfowl to arrive in the area they are certainly one of the most striking and interesting of our winter visitors.
You have likely seen them in your walks around the pond. Buffleheads are typically smaller in size than the common mallards that make Chandler Pond their year-round residence. The male buffleheads sport a striking large white patch across the back of their head that extends from side to side often peaking in a distinctive crest. Look carefully and in just the right light, you’ll see that parts of the males’ heads have a beautiful iridescent green and purple seen.
Their female counterparts typically have brownish heads and neck except for an oval white patch that extends from below the eye back towards their neck. Without a doubt, they are some of the cutest visitors we have to the shores of Chandler Pond. If their unique markings do not grab your attention, their curious calls just might! It is often considered to be a grating, chattering, guttural, cuk-cuk-cuk.
Male Bufflehead and Female Bufflehead, photos from AllAboutBirds.org (The Cornell Lab)
Our winter visitors come from Canda and other locations to the north. It is much colder up that way at this time of year and when their breeding season comes to an end they take flight for the shallow bays, open oceans, lakes and ponds around us …like Chandler Pond. Our temperatures do not bother this feisty fowl as they dive down and pop back up again when feeding on everything from insects, plants, pondweeds and even snails or other crustaceans when available. They are not picky eaters. Our winter visitors typically stay in and around the pond right up until the time when temperatures are consistently cold enough to freeze the water.
Male Buffleheads on Chandler Pond, November 2023 (photo by Neal Klinman)
As you observe a flotilla of these interesting ducks on Chandler Pond, you’ll notice that you rarely see them out of the water. Buffleheads prefer to bob along on the water and their plumage makes them very buoyant. Their small legs are set back further on their body than many other ducks which makes for great propulsion on the water but not the best mobility on land.
Try to catch a view of these funny and curious visitors throughout the winter. They will likely stick around as long as there is open, unfrozen, water for them to enjoy.