#ocean duck

[wingedjewels]

Common Golden Eye ( Drake) by Kip Hutchison Via Flickr: Incoming from the Ocean.

[wingedjewels]

Bufflehead-Male-1 by Kip Hutchison Via Flickr: One of the world smallest Ocean Ducks Click image to view Larger. Adult male Bufflehead have a white body, black back, and a dark head with a large white patch that wraps around the back of the head. Females and first-year males are gray-brown overall with an oval, white cheek patch. In flight adult males have a large white patch on the upperwing; females and first-year males have a smaller white wing patch. Bufflehead dive underwater to catch aquatic invertebrates. When courting females, male Buffleheads swim in front of them, rapidly bobbing their heads up and down. In flight, you can identify Bufflehead by noting their small size, fast wingbeats, and pattern of rocking side-to side as they fly.