Across the cold lakes and sheltered coastal inlets of North America, this compact diver bobs lightly before vanishing beneath the surface. It feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small mollusks, plunging with quick precision into clear, wintry waters. What makes it extraordinary is the male’s striking sheen — a bold white patch set against iridescent green and purple that flashes like polished metal in the sun. Yet beyond the brilliance, it helps keep freshwater ecosystems balanced, foraging quietly beneath rippling reflections. A small silhouette on vast water, yet a resilient keeper of northern shores.
Bufflehead 👇
