| About fifteen inches long. Sharp
contrasting black and white. Black crown, face, neck and back. White patch behind each eye
and white underside. Breeds in the northern regions - Alaska,
across Canada to the lower Hudson Bay Region and Quebec; the furthest south being in the
mountainous regions of Wyoming and Northern California. Winters in Alaska, British
Columbia, across southern Canada, throughout the U.S. and south to Mexico, and the
Caribbean.
Builds a thick cushion of feathers and down in decaying tree or
stump hollows near ponds or streams.
Lays six to fourteen ivory or olive white eggs, which hatch after about one month of
incubation. Ducklings are led to water at a very young age and fly at about two months.
Dives with ease, easily overtaking fish. Also eats crustaceans and insects. It has a
thick fatty layer, giving it one of its nicknames, "butter ball", and tolerates
cold weather well until ice blocks it from its food forcing it to fly south in small
flocks.
The Bufflehead Nestbox
has a 7"
by 7" floor, 16" inside ceiling, 2 7/8" diameter entrance hole located
14" (to the top of the hole) above the floor and ventilation openings. Assembled with
corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled countersunk pilot holes. Hinged roof
is secured with shutter hooks for easy access.
Mount at least 10 feet, higher if possible, on a tree trunk, (6' to 8' if on a post
above water), in forest bottomlands within 100 feet of a river or a pond. Place some wood
chips on the floor. Kestrels, Screech owls and Squirrels may use this box.
Chester A. Reed
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