Redhead

The Redhead (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck, notable for its striking appearance. The males are particularly distinctive with their copper-colored heads and bright blue bills during the breeding season. Females, while more subdued in color, have a yellow to brown head and neck. These ducks measure approximately 37 cm in length with an 84 cm wingspan, and their weight ranges from 2.0 to 2.5 lbs.

Identification Tips

During the breeding season, adult male Redheads can be identified by their copper heads and necks, black breasts, grey backs and sides, white bellies, and light black rumps and tails. Their bills are pale blue with a black tip. Females have a yellow to brown head and neck, brown breasts, white bellies, and grey to brown bodies, with slate bills featuring a dark tip and a blue ring.

Habitat

Redheads breed in small, semi-permanent wetlands with dense emergent vegetation, such as bulrushes, cattails, and sedges. In winter, they prefer large, protected coastal waters but can also be found in reservoirs, lakes, and freshwater deltas.

Distribution

These ducks breed across North America, from Northern Canada to the Caribbean, and migrate south to winter in the southern United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and the Bahamas.

Behaviour

Redheads are social ducks that do not defend territories. They migrate in pairs formed during elaborate courtship rituals. They are known for brood parasitism, often laying eggs in the nests of other pochards.

Song & Calls

Male Redheads emit a cat-like wheee-oww during neck-stretching displays, and a soft coughing call. Females produce a soft errrr note when inciting a male.

Breeding

Redheads form pairs through courtship rituals and migrate together. They nest in thick vegetation over or near water. Brood parasitism is common among younger females, and brood sizes range from 5 to 7 young.

Diet and Feeding

Redheads switch their diet seasonally. During breeding, they consume animal matter such as gastropods, mollusks, and insect larvae. In winter, their diet shifts to plant material like pondweeds, wild rice, and wild celery.

Conservation status

The Redhead is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. The population has increased to over 1.4 million birds and makes up 2% of North America's duck population. Conservation efforts focus on wetland preservation.