| Canvasback Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Medium-sized diving duck - Long sloping forehead and peaked crown produce distinctive profile - Black bill - Immature female similar to adult female, immature male is similar to female in autumn, but acquires alternate plumage during winter Adult male alternate - Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer - Red eye - Reddish head and neck - Black breast - Pale gray back and flanks - White belly - Black tail, upper- and undertail coverts Adult male basic - Duller than alternate plumage, especially about the breast and back Adult female - Brown eye - Brown head and neck - Pale gray back and flanks - White belly Similar species Adult male Redhead is similar in alternate plumage to adult male Canvasback, but has yellow eye, blue bill with black tip, much grayer back and different profile. Female-plumage Redheads also have blue-gray bill with black tip, brownish body plumage without contrast between the head and body and a different profile. |
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