Buffleheads breed from southern Alaska through the forested areas of western Canada, central Ontario, and eastern Quebec. Buffleheads from eastern Alberta migrate to the eastern US and Gulf Coast of Mexico and birds from western Canada migrate south along the Pacific Flyway. Buffleheads concentrate along the coasts during the winter, with no particular area wintering the majority of the population. Breeding population data are not available due to the difficulty of surveying birds in forested habitat. Male buffleheads have a large white patch across the back of the head from cheek to cheek, forming a bushy crest. The rest of the head is blackish with an iridescent green and purple sheen. The neck, scapulars, breast, belly, and sides are white, and the back and rump are black.