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Diving ducks frequent large, deep lakes and rivers, as well as coastal bays and inlets. When launching into flight, most of this group patter along the water before becoming airborne. They feed by diving, often to considerable depths. Since their wings are smaller in proportion to the size and weight of their bodies, they have a more rapid wingbeat than puddle ducks.
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Redhead
Aythya americana
At-a-Glance
• Type: Diving Duck
• Peak Breeding Activity: April-June
• Incubation: 24-28 days
• Clutch Size: 9-15 eggs
• Young Fledge: 56-73 days after hatching
• Typical foods: aquatic plants and mollusks
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Description
Drake redheads look somewhat like drake canvasbacks, but lack the steeply sloping forehead and gleaming white body of the latter, and have bluish bills. The female looks a lot like a ring-necked female with no white fringe at the base of the bill.
Habitat and Habits
Redheads are very common migrants statewide, and are often seen in borrow ponds along freeways, particularly in the spring. They nest rarely in the western Lake Erie marshes, and occur in winter where open water is found. They range coast to coast, with the largest numbers being observed in the Central Flyway. Migratory flocks travel in Vs and move in irregular formations over feeding areas. They can often be found associating with canvasbacks. When flying, redheads give the impression of always being in a hurry. They usually spend the day in large rafts in deep water. They feed during the morning and evening in shallower sections. Drakes purr and meow . The hens have a loud squak that is higher than a hen mallard's.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Nesting begins in mid-summer and takes place in marshes. The nest is a deep cup made out of reeds. |
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