Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
Identification Tips:
- Medium-sized diving duck
- Long sloping forehead and peaked crown produce distinctive
profile
- Black bill
- Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is
similar to female in autumn, but acquires alternate plumage during
winter
Adult male alternate:
- Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer
- Red eye
- Reddish head and neck
- Black breast
- Pale gray back and flanks
- White belly
- Black tail, upper- and undertail coverts
Adult male basic:
- Duller than alternate plumage, especially
about the breast and back
Adult female:
- Brown eye
- Brown head and neck
- Pale gray back and flanks
- White belly
Similar species:
Adult male Redhead is similar in alternate plumage to adult
male Canvasback, but has yellow eye, blue bill with black tip, much
grayer back and different profile. Female-plumage Redheads also
have blue-gray bill with black tip, brownish body plumage without
contrast between the head and body and a different profile.