Bucephala albeola, commonly known as the Bufflehead, is native to North America. Its geographical distribution spans across Canada and the northern United States during the breeding season. It is commonly found in Alaska through to the maritime provinces and the Great Lakes region. During winter, the species migrates southwards to coastal regions of the United States, extending along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico coasts, as well as into parts of Mexico and Central America.

The Bufflehead inhabits freshwater environments such as small lakes, ponds, and rivers with adjacent vegetated wetlands during the breeding season. These areas often have abundant aquatic vegetation and are away from human disturbance. During the winter, it shifts to coastal marine environments, estuaries, protected bays, and lagoons with salty or brackish waters. The climate in these regions is typically temperate with cold winters in the northern part of their range and milder conditions in the southern coastal areas.

Buffleheads occupy an ecological niche as diving ducks, feeding primarily on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, and mollusks, as well as some plant material like seeds and aquatic plants. They play a role in controlling the population of these prey species, contributing to the aquatic ecosystem's balance. The small size of Buffleheads allows them to utilize tree cavities made by other birds, like the Northern Flicker, for nesting, indicating a mutualistic relationship with other species in their habitat.