Waterfowl Identification in the Central Flyway
Bufflehead (Butterball)
Male - Winter
Body: Small duck, up to 1 pound, 12-14 inches long. White belly and sides with black back and dusky rump. Puffy-appearing head with multicolored iridescence and fan-shaped white patch. Bill short and bluish gray. Feet pinkish. Wings: Mostly black. Coverts and secondaries form large white patch. Voice: Squeaky whistle. In Flight: Small flighty bird. White belly. Puffy head. White head-patch and trailing edge of underwings evident.
Male - Fall
Ranging from a mottled grayish white to near-winter coloration. Head puffy and brownish. White head-patch streaked with dusky black. Bill, feet and wings same as in winter.
Female - All Seasons
Body: Grayish white with brown back, tail and rump. Head puffy-appearing and brown with small white patch behind eye. Bill and feet brownish gray. Wings: Brown with inner secondaries forming small white portion of speculum. Voice: Hoarse quack.
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