Redhead

Photographed this handsome Redhead breeding male on 13 May 2011. On the rare occasion that I do see one, usually they are far, far away. If I remember correctly, it was at a wetland in SW Calgary.

"The Redhead (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck, 37 cm long with an 84 cm wingspan.

The adult male has a blue bill, a red head and neck, a black breast, yellow eyes and a grey back. The adult female has a brown head and body and a darker bluish bill with a black tip.

The breeding habitat is marshes and prairie potholes in western North America. Loss of nesting habitat has led to sharply declining populations. Females regularly lay eggs in the nests of other Redheads or other ducks, especially Canvasbacks. Redheads usually take new mates each year, starting to pair in late winter." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redhead_(duck)