Redhead duck habitat

The leaves, stems, seeds and roots of aquatic plants make up the majority of the diet. This is thought to occur because some younger, inexperienced redhead females parasitize other pochards. When and Where to Find in Washington The Redhead is one of the most common ducks east of the Columbia River during the breeding season, although it is less common in much of the southern Columbia Basin. What is your favorite species? Females often take their broods to a deeper marsh or permanent lake located near their nesting sites to raise them. Nonbreeding males are brownish overall, like females, but with a warmer brown head.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Breeding male and female Both sexes have a gray bill with a black tip. Female In flight, wingstripe is grayish rather than white. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

The female Redhead works alone to build a circular nest, usually set on a foundation of underwater vegetation to hold it in place. The redhead and the common pochard form a sister group which together is sister to the canvasback. The upper parts are darker and duller brown, with the upper-wing-coverts browner than on the male; otherwise the wing is similar to that of the male. Waterfowl managers fear that under current population levels, redheads may in some years exhaust their traditional food supplies prior to the spring migration. During the breeding season, redheads will eat as much animal matter as possible, including gastropods , mollusks and insect larvae.

Recent advances have been made in estimating survival of Redhead ducklings and females Yerkes, T. The young are capable of flight after days. Distribution patterns of Redheads changed dramatically during the 20th century and they are now common in some areas where they used to be scarce. Foods and dietary strategies of prairie-nesting Ruddy Ducks and Redheads. Washington representatives of the order all belong to one family:. The Redhead is known to lay eggs in the nests of other Redheads, and in the nests of at least 10 other duck species, and even nests of the American Bittern and Northern Harrier. This is thought to occur because some younger, inexperienced redhead females parasitize other pochards.