Bufflehead

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Lakes (very rare vagrant).
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates.
Best time to spot: Tiny; big white head patch.

When to look

A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in UK winter wildfowl.

How rare is it?

The Bufflehead sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Barrow's GoldeneyeLegendary · Lakes
• Common GoldeneyeUncommon · Lakes
• American CootLegendary · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
• Pied-billed GrebeLegendary · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
• Falcated DuckEpic · Lakes (very rare vagrant)
• Ferruginous DuckRare · Lakes (very rare vagrant)

Kit that helps

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