bufflehead

Thân thiện

A male bufflehead dives into a calm pond.

Definition

Noun: 1. A small North American diving duck: A bufflehead is a species of small sea duck (Bucephala albeola) native to North America. It is known for its diving behavior to feed. 2. Characteristic head plumage of the male: The male bufflehead is particularly noted for its distinctive, puffy, and iridescent head feathers, which appear bushy or large in proportion to its body.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We spotted a pair of buffleheads on the lake this morning.
  • The male bufflehead is easily identified by its striking white head patch.
  • Buffleheads are migratory and often winter on coastal bays.

Advanced Usage

• As a subject of study: The term is used in ornithology, birdwatching, and conservation contexts.
  • The research paper focused on the breeding habits of the bufflehead.

Variants and Related Words

• Buffleheaded (adj, archaic): An obsolete term meaning stupid or foolish, derived from an old sense of "buffalo-head," but not directly related to the modern ornithological term.
• Diving duck (n): The general category to which the bufflehead belongs.

Synonyms

• Butterball (n, informal): A common nickname for this duck, referring to its plump shape.
• Dipper (n, regional): A less common regional name for diving ducks.

Related Phrases & Idioms

• None directly associated: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use the specific word "bufflehead."

Học thuật

Noun

1. small North American diving duck; males have bushy head plumage

Từ đồng nghĩa

• butterball
• dipper
• Bucephela albeola