The Canvasback is a large diving duck known for its distinctive wedge-shaped head and long, sloping profile. Males are striking with a reddish-brown head and neck, black chest, and a white body. They are powerful flyers and strong swimmers, often found in large rafts on open water.
Where to spot
Breeds in the prairie pothole region of North America (Canada and northern US). Winters largely along coastal waters and large inland lakes and rivers across the southern US and Mexico, and occasionally on the Great Lakes.
How to spot
Look for their unique profile: a long, sloping bill that smoothly transitions into the forehead, giving the head a flattened appearance. Males have a bright red eye. Scan open water bodies where they often gather in large flocks.
When to spot
Most visible during fall and spring migration (September-November and March-April) as they move between breeding and wintering grounds. They are present on wintering grounds from late fall through early spring.
Where to spot
Breeds in the prairie pothole region of North America (Canada and northern US). Winters largely along coastal waters and large inland lakes and rivers across the southern US and Mexico, and occasionally on the Great Lakes.
How to spot
Look for their unique profile: a long, sloping bill that smoothly transitions into the forehead, giving the head a flattened appearance. Males have a bright red eye. Scan open water bodies where they often gather in large flocks.
When to spot
Most visible during fall and spring migration (September-November and March-April) as they move between breeding and wintering grounds. They are present on wintering grounds from late fall through early spring.
Credits:
Door Frank Schulenburg - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30718759
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Credits:
Wikimedia Commons
Canvasbacks have a unique diet among ducks, preferring the tubers and rhizomes of submergent aquatic vegetation, particularly wild celery (Vallisneria americana), which gives them their scientific name.
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