The Redhead is a medium-sized diving duck found in North America. The male is easily identified by its round, coppery-red head, black breast, and grey body, resembling a canvasback but with a shorter bill. Females are a uniform dull brown with a dark grey bill. They are often found in large flocks on open water.
Where to spot
Breeds across central and western North America. Winters widely across the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Prefers large, shallow freshwater marshes, lakes, and coastal bays.
How to spot
Identify males by their round, red head and black breast, contrasting with a grey body. Females are dull brown with a uniformly dark bill. Look for their distinct diving behavior and preference for large, open water bodies.
When to spot
Most visible during spring and autumn migration periods (March-May and September-November) when they congregate in large numbers. Present on breeding grounds in summer and wintering grounds in winter.
Where to spot
Breeds across central and western North America. Winters widely across the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Prefers large, shallow freshwater marshes, lakes, and coastal bays.
How to spot
Identify males by their round, red head and black breast, contrasting with a grey body. Females are dull brown with a uniformly dark bill. Look for their distinct diving behavior and preference for large, open water bodies.
When to spot
Most visible during spring and autumn migration periods (March-May and September-November) when they congregate in large numbers. Present on breeding grounds in summer and wintering grounds in winter.
Credits:
Door Rhododendrites - Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128016095
Redheads are known as 'facultative brood parasites,' meaning females sometimes lay their eggs in the nests of other Redheads or even other duck species, like Canvasbacks.
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