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Buffleheads are North America's smallest (and arguably, cutest) ducks. Males have beautifully irridescent black and white heads; females are less flamboyant but still have a flashy white cheek. Buffleheads breed on northern lakes and winter farther south, often on estuaries or on near-shore ocean water. They feed on pond plants and invertebrates by diving to the bottom, often for many seconds. The dive is typically very quick and almost splash-free, except for the tail-flip (upper right). These photos of birds diving (or preparing to dive) were taken at Bolsa Chica wetlands in coastal Orange County, California, and in Palo Alto, California. Other images of buffleheads are here and here.
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