Our birds of the month for December and January have fun-sounding descriptive names, Bufflehead and Goldeneye. Unlike many birds that migrate farther south in winter, these two ducks apparently consider Madison “down south” after spending summer nesting by lakes in far northern Canada. You can find them all winter on areas of open water and along the Yahara River.
Their names tell you what to look for. Their Latin genus name is “bucephala,” which means “bull-headed” for their large bulbous-shaped heads on proportionately smaller bodies. Both are bouncy-looking little ducks with a black or dark back and head and a bright white belly.
Bufflehead females have a bright white spot behind their eye, and males have a white wedge shape that extends to the back of their head that they can flair to buff up their appearance.
Common Goldeneye are a bit larger but quite similar to Bufflehead with a black or dark back and head and a bright white belly. Male Goldeneye have a white polka dot in front of their eye, and both male and female Goldeneye have striking gold-colored eyes that give them their name.
Bufflehead and Goldeneye are fun to watch because the males like to rock back and dance on their tails to show off for their mates. Both of these unusual species nest in tree cavities and both can dive under water to feed on crustaceans and plant matter.
Bufflehead are able to take off almost vertically and fly amazingly fast, almost 50 miles per hour. Goldeneye have a special nickname “whistlers” because their wings make a distinctive whistle when they fly.
Enjoy seeing these cute little bouncy black and white ducks on open water around Madison all winter.
