The Bufflehead duck (Bucephala albeola) is a small diving duck that is native to North America. It goes by several other common names including “butterball,” “bufflehead,” “spirit duck,” “dipper duck,” and “butter-box.” Understanding the various names for the Bufflehead duck provides insight into its appearance, behavior, and habitat.
Butterball
One of the most common alternate names for the Bufflehead duck is “butterball.” There are a few theories as to why this small duck earned this name:
- The male Bufflehead has large white patches on its wings that could resemble globs of butter when it is flying.
- The coloring of the male Bufflehead—black, white, and iridescent feathers—resembles the marbled appearance of butter.
- The Bufflehead has a round, plump body shape similar to a ball of butter.
- The flesh of the Bufflehead was thought to be as rich and flavorful as butter.
The rich, buttery descriptions of both its appearance and flavor have led many to refer to the Bufflehead duck as “butterball.” This name is very descriptive of the duck’s distinctive attributes.
Bufflehead
The term “bufflehead” itself is another common alternate name for this species of duck. There are a few different theories regarding the origin of this name:
- It may be derived from the duck’s distinctive bulbous, buff-colored head.
- It may come from the English word “buffle” meaning to confuse or puzzle, referring to the duck’s erratic flying patterns.
- It may be related to the word “buffalo” since early settlers may have likened the duck’s head to that of a buffalo.
Regardless of its exact origin, “bufflehead” is an apt descriptive name that calls attention to the duck’s unique and prominent head shape.
Spirit Duck
The Bufflehead duck is sometimes referred to as the “spirit duck” by many Native American tribes. There are a few potential roots of this name:
- Its small size and erratic, bouncing flight pattern suggest a lively, animated spirit.
- Its solid black and white plumage evoke symbolism of the spirit world, yin and yang, and the balance between light and dark.
- According to some tribes, seeing a Bufflehead duck signals the presence of spirits or acts as a sign from the spiritual world.
Regardless of the exact origin, the “spirit duck” name speaks to the mystical and symbolic nature of the Bufflehead in many Native American cultures.
Dipper Duck
The term “dipper duck” is sometimes used when referring to the Bufflehead. This name stems from the duck’s diving behavior.
- The Bufflehead feeds heavily on insects, mollusks, and crustaceans that it finds by diving underwater.
- It uses its compact size, its low center of gravity, and its rear-placed feet to effectively dive and resurface.
- A Bufflehead duck can dive up to 7-8 meters deep to find food sources and can stay submerged for up to 30 seconds.
The “dipper duck” name reflects how well-adapted this species is to spending much of its time diving below the water’s surface in search of food.
Butter-Box
An old alternate name for the Bufflehead duck used primarily in the 1600-1700s was “butter-box.” Like “butterball,” this name refers to the duck’s round, plump shape and rich flavor.
- It was thought that when cooked, the flesh of the duck was as rich, oily, and savory as butter.
- Its compact, rotund body shape was likened to a small box or container of butter.
- Market hunters would collect many Buffleheads and transport them in boxes to various markets where they were sold as “butter-boxes.”
While less commonly used today, “butter-box” was a name that highlighted the Bufflehead’s culinary reputation during earlier eras.
Habitats and Behavior Leading to These Names
The small Bufflehead duck inhabits wooded wetlands across much of North America. It can be found on inland ponds, marshes, rivers, and coastal estuaries. This habitat preference has helped shape some of its alternate names:
- Its diving behavior in search of food led to “dipper duck.”
- Its coastal habits near seawater gave it a savory, buttery taste and texture.
- Its elusive nature in densely wooded wetlands made it seem animated and spirit-like.
The Bufflehead duck has a diverse diet consisting of insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and some plant material. It will dive underwater to depths of 7-8 meters to forage along rocky shorelines, estuaries, and lakes. Its compact size and high power-to-weight ratio make it a swift flier capable of intricate evasive maneuvers.
The male Bufflehead has bold black and white plumage with an iridescent head that shifts colors in the light. The female is more muted grey and brown in color. Their striking appearance and rich flavor relative to their small size are key reasons this duck earned descriptive names like “butterball” and “butter-box.”
Conclusion
The Bufflehead duck goes by many interesting alternate names beyond its formal name. Names like “butterball”, “bufflehead”, “spirit duck”, “dipper duck”, and “butter-box” all provide colorful descriptions of the duck’s appearance, taste, diving habits, elusive nature, and cultural symbolism.
Understanding the origins and meanings behind these various alternate names provides greater insight into the natural history of the Bufflehead duck. The names highlight its rich flavor, bulbous head shape, diving behavior, habitat preferences, and role in Native American culture. So the next time you encounter one of these small, energetic diving ducks, you’ll know it by many other creative names beyond just “Bufflehead.”
