Canvasback Photo Gallery

Male

Large diving duck with a sloping forehead and a stout neck. Breeding males have black chests and rears with a white body.

Female

Large diving duck with a sloping forehead and a stout neck. Females have pale bodies and dark chests and rears.

Breeding males

Note gracefully sloping forehead transitioning to bill, and clean white back.

Flock

In flight, note dark neck, head, and rear with white body and underwings.

Eclipse male

Nonbreeding males are browner than breeding males.

Female (with Redhead)

Sloping head shape and paler body distinguishes Canvasback (middle) from similar Redhead (left).

Female

Large brownish duck with gracefully sloping forehead and bill.

Male and female

Breeds in small lakes, deep marshes, sheltered bays of large freshwater and alkali lakes, ponds, sloughs, potholes, and shallow river impoundments.

Male

In flight, note male's dark head and neck contrasting with whitish back.

Habitat

In winter found in deep freshwater lakes and coastal waters including brackish and saltwater estuaries, shallow bays, and harbors. Often in large groups.