Bird
Redhead
Aythya americanaAlso known as Red-headed Duck, American Pochard, Red-headed Pochard
Redheads are sociable diving ducks famous for assembling into massive winter rafts across coastal bays, particularly along the Gulf Coast. Hens frequently exhibit facultative brood parasitism, laying opportunistic eggs in the nests of canvasbacks, mallards, and other redheads before incubating their own clutch. Backward-set legs and large lobed feet propel them downward to graze submerged beds of aquatic vegetation, especially rhizomes and shoots.
Diving DuckMigratoryWaterfowl
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyShoalgrass, Pondweed, Freshwater Snails
Predators
- Red Fox
- Raccoon
- Bald Eagle
ThreatsWetland drainage, degradation of seagrass beds, lead poisoning, hunting pressure
HabitatsPrairie pothole marshes, deep freshwater lakes, reservoirs, coastal lagoons
Life span10–15 years
Classification
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae
- GenusAythya
- SpeciesAythya americana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Viewing Range: Use a spotting scope along coastal shores to view massive winter flocks without flushing resting birds.
- Identification Cue: Look for a rounded head profile, bright golden eye, and pale blue bill tipped in black.
Sister Species no rights reserved · cc0
Same Genus (c) Matt Felperin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Felperin · cc-by
Same Genus (c) James Weaver, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Host Plant (c) Hans Hillewaert, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Elaine with Grey Cats, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set Pro
Farm Friends
Redhead is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.