The Redhead is a diving duck specially adapted to foraging underwater. Their legs are placed farther back on the body, which makes walking on land difficult; the webbing on their feet is larger than dabbling ducks; and their bills are broader, to facilitate underwater foraging. The male has a unique call that resembles the "meow" of a cat. Male Redheads have a reddish head and upper neck with a black lower neck, foreback, and breast, and the remaining plumage is gray and brown. His legs and feet are gray, and his bill is light blue-gray with a white band and a wide, black tip. Female Redheads have a reddish-brown head, neck, and breast, a buff white chin and throat, and a faint eye ring and stripe behind the eye. The rest of her plumage is colored by shades of brown. Her bill is duller than the male's, but similar in pattern.
Scientific Name: Aythya americana
Native to: North America
Average Length: 15”
Average Weight: Male 2.4 lbs. Female 2.1 lbs.
Redhead
Photo Credit: Balon Grayjoy