Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
Alternate names: Can, Bullneck
- Length
- 22 in
- Weight
- 3 lb
Overview
The canvasback is a large, striking diving duck known for its distinctive wedge-shaped head and long sloping profile. Males are easily identifiable by their red eyes, rich chestnut-colored head, black chest, and whitish body with fine grayish speckling, while females have a light brown head and a pale body. Their unique head shape and larger size make them stand out among other diving ducks. Found in deep lakes, bays, and marshes, canvasbacks are fast flyers, making them a challenging yet prized target for hunters, especially in open water environments.
Identification
Wedge-shaped head, chestnut-red head (male), red eyes (male), long sloping profile, large size, diving habits
Canvasbacks are large diving ducks that favor big, open water like deep lakes, bays, and marshes with submerged vegetation. They have a long, sloping forehead that gives them a distinct silhouette in flight. Their strong wingbeats and steady, level flight make them easier to spot among flocks of scaup or redheads. Hunters can pick them out by their size, long neck, and clean white body.
Drake
Males have a chestnut-red head, black chest, and bright white back. Their long, sloped black bill and red eyes stand out at close range. In flight, look for the big white body and dark chest with long wings pushing steady and direct.
Hen
Females are pale brown with a light face and dark eyes, showing the same long, sloped head shape. Their body is grayish-white, and they share the same strong, straight flight pattern as males. Compared to female redheads or scaup, their lighter body and distinctive head profile make them easier to call.
Range
Related Species
In the Field
Photo: USFWS/Southeast 
Photo: USFWS/Southeast
