Redhead vs Canvasback: Duck Identification

How to Identify a Canvasback Duck

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From a distance, the first thing you’ll probably notice about a canvasback is the striking white feathers along its back. The bird’s red head feathers turn to black along its front. If you have a good enough vantage point to see the bird with binoculars, you’ll pick out red eyes and a gently sloping black bill. Females have the same general color pattern as the males, but with yellowish heads and gray-white feathers along their backs.

When you’re done differentiating redhead vs canvasback, learn what a wood duck looks like.

How to Identify a Redhead Duck

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The redhead’s red head feathers remain their most striking feature to a birder. When placed in contrast with the bird’s gray wing and back feathers and the black feathers along its breast, those red feathers really stand out. Look closely for a prominent, curved forehead and orange eyes, as well as a blue bill. Females are brown overall, with tan feathers on the head.

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Differences Between These Ducks

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With enough practice, it can be relatively easy to tell the difference between a redhead vs canvasback.

For one thing, the redhead’s forehead and head shape are more circular; the angle at which the head meets the bill is more prominent, and less of a gradual slope. The canvasback’s bill is darker in color than the redhead’s — the canvasback’s is blackish, while the redhead’s is blue.

Red eyes differentiate the canvasback from the redhead, which has orange eyes. Generally speaking, the canvasback’s white back and wing feathers set it apart from the redhead, whose gray back and wing feathers look duller in color.

Next, learn everything you need to know about the mallard duck.

Sources

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “Canvasback: Identification“
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “Redhead: Identification“