Canvasback

Aythya valisineria

The Canvasback is a large diving duck native to North America. It is known for its striking appearance, with a sloping profile, long black bill, and vibrant red eyes. The male has a chestnut-red head and neck, black breast, and white body, while the female is more subdued with a brownish head and gray body. These ducks are highly migratory and breed in freshwater marshes and lakes in the northern prairies of the United States and Canada. During the winter, they can be found in coastal bays and estuaries. Canvasbacks are skilled divers and feed primarily on aquatic plants and invertebrates. Their populations have faced declines due to habitat loss and hunting, leading to a conservation status of Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List.

Habitat: Freshwater marshes and lakes, coastal bays, estuaries