Tag Archives: redhead duck nc

Out There with the Expert

Redhead Duck vs. Canvasback Duck ID

By Sally Siko

The best part about wintertime in North Carolina is the arrival of interesting waterfowl to our state.
Two such gems are these handsome Redhead and Canvasback ducks.
They are incredibly beautiful creatures and I’m always excited to see them whenever I travel to eastern NC.

Though at first glance the two species may look similar to one another, there are ways that you can tell them apart, even at a great distance.



The Redhead drake featured in the first 2 photos has a blueish bill with a black tip, an orangey yellowish eye, and more rounded “traditional duck” head profile.
The most distinctive ID point when viewed from far away is their gray back.



The Canvasback drake featured in the photos below have a black bill, ruby colored red eyes, and a unique triangular head profile.
 You can ID them easily from way across the water by their bright white backs.



From November through late March/early April, Redheads and Canvasbacks can be spotted paddling around in the shallow bays and marshes foraging for a an underwater snack of stems, seeds, and roots of aquatic plants: shoalgrass, pondweeds, and sedges at many of our coastal wildlife refuges.
There is plenty of time left for you to go see them this winter so get out there if you can!

By the way, I’ve added 80 new birding tour dates to my schedule so if you’d like to join me out there to see these beautiful ducks for yourself check the link in bio for details & booking info!

Photos by Sally Siko of @bestlife_birding captured on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

Redhead or Canvasback Duck?

The best part about wintertime in North Carolina is the arrival of interesting waterfowl to our state.
Two such gems are these handsome Redhead and Canvasback ducks.
They are incredibly beautiful creatures and I’m always excited to see them whenever I travel to the Pungo Unit or to the Pea Island NWR.

Though at first glance the two species may look similar to one another, there are ways that you can tell them apart, even at a great distance.



The Redhead drake featured in the first 2 photos has a blueish bill with a black tip, an orangey yellowish eye, and more rounded “traditional duck” head profile.
The most distinctive ID point when viewed from far away is their gray back.


The Canvasback drake featured in the photos below have a black bill, ruby colored red eyes, and a unique triangular head profile.
You can ID them easily from way across the water by their bright white backs.



From November through late March/early April, Redheads and Canvasbacks can be spotted paddling around in the shallow bays and marshes foraging for a an underwater snack of stems, seeds, and roots of aquatic plants: shoalgrass, pondweeds, and sedges at many of our coastal wildlife refuges.
There is plenty of time left for you to go see them this winter so get out there if you can!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds

Birding Trips and Tours North Carolina, Field Notes

Wintertime birding Pea Island: The redhead Duck

This sharp looking bird is called a Redhead Duck. As their namesake implies, they are quite easily identified among large mixed flocks of waterfowl sporting that crimson plumage.
I spotted quite a few of them here at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge swimming in the north pond near the visitors center.



Unlike many other species of diving ducks redheads more often spotted displaying dabbling duck behavior by dipping their head underwater or tipping up to feed on plants and small invertebrates.

During the winter, they can be found in slow moving or still bodies of freshwater,
foraging on plant seeds along the shoreline such as
tubers, grass, pondweeds, wild celery, bulrushes,
water lilies, and even wild rice under the water.



Their breeding range extends from central Alaska through southern Canada to the northern regions of the United States from Washington to Maine.
Many breed in the Prairie Pothole region of the northern Great Plains of North America.

In September, these ducks migrate to winter in the warmer climates found in central Mexico, along the coast of California to the Gulf and of course the Atlantic Coast including right here in eastern North Carolina.



You can find them in most of our southeastern coastal wildlife refuges through mid April. These handsome guys are well worth the effort to find them!

Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame @canonusa
#5Ds