canvasback duck

1. Bird Name
The Canvasback Duck is a native bird species of North America. Its scientific name is Aythya valisineria.

2. Appearance
The Canvasback Duck is a large diving duck distinguished by its high-profile head shape. Males have a black bill, red eyes, a chestnut-red head and neck, a black breast, and a light grey body. They have a distinct white underpart and black tail. Females, on the other hand, are subdued in coloration compared to the males, with colorful plumage not being an essential trait. They are grayish-brown all over, with a similar head profile, and pale blue bills tipped in black.

3. Size
The Canvasback Duck is quite sizeable, reaching lengths up to 56 cm (22 inches) and weighing between 1.6 to 3.5 kg (3.5 to 7.7 lbs). This bird has a wingspan ranging from 79 to 89 cm (31 to 35 inches).

4. Habitat & Distribution
Predominantly North American, Canvasbacks breed in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States and Canada and winter in the warmer Southern United States, as well as in the Mexican highlands. They prefer open, deep wetlands for nesting and spend their winter in coastal estuaries, lakes, and bays.

5. Interesting Facts
The duck’s genus name, Aythya, comes from a Greek word meaning “diver” – fitting as this species often feeds by diving for tubers, leaves, and seeds of aquatic plants. Their species name, valisineria, comes from Vallisneria Americana, or wild celery, whose winter buds and rhizomes are the Canvasbacks favorite food during the nonbreeding period. Their high-profile head shape distinguishes the Canvasbacks duck from other ducks.

6. Diet
Canvasback Ducks mainly feed on the seeds, leaves, and roots of submerged aquatic plants, specifically those of the wild celery that is abundant in their natural habitat. The duck’s long, sloping bill helps it to forage by digging into the March substrate. They may also eat aquatic insects, mollusks, and crustaceans, albeit less frequently.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Canvasback Ducks are highly social and may form large groups, especially in winter. They are strong fliers, moving rapidly with steady, direct flight paths. During courtship, males perform elaborate displays, including bobbing their heads, raising their chests out of the water, and making a low, purring coo. Their calls can range from a sharp “hoo-whee” to a fast, staccato “shut-it.”

8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Canvasback Duck is currently of least concern, although its population has faced fluctuations over the past several years due to habitat loss and declines in its food resources.

9. Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Canvasback Duck in the wild is approximately 15 to 20 years. The oldest recorded Canvasback lived to be 29 years old, which is considered extraordinarily long for most duck species.

10. Additional Notes
In some regions, they are also known as “Canard morillon” in French, “Porrón coacoxtle” in Spanish, and “Canvasback” in German. Human interaction is quite common, especially during the hunting season. They hold significant importance in North America for recreational duck hunting. In terms of their ecological role, these ducks are crucial for controlling aquatic vegetation. They digest aquatic plants and associated seeds, thereby contributing to the dispersion and fertilization of the aquatic plants they feed on. Hence, they play an essential role in the ecosystems of wetlands.