Canvasback

Aythya valisineria

Appearance:


female (left) /male (right)

Large diving duck
"Ski-jump" profile
Male:
    Chestnut head
    Black bill
    Black chest
    Whitish back
     Black rump
     Red eyes
Female:
    Pale tan head and neck
    Dark bill  
    Grayish body

Listen to its call.

Recently, I joined my husband on his run around Elk Lake. Oh sorry .... that sounds a bit misleading. To be more exact, I went with my husband to Elk Lake where I took pictures of ducks while he ran around the lake. I do have my priorities, you know. Unfortunately, this pair of ducks never came close enough to the shore for me to get a better picture than this one. At least it gives you a sense of their colouring and unique profile. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't show the wave-like pattern on the male's back and sides, which supposedly resembles canvas fabric (hence the name).

Learn more about the Canvasback.