Stats

Lifespan: 7-10 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Flock
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: North America
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

A diving duck of North American lakes and marshes, named for a faint chestnut collar on the drake's neck that's nearly impossible to see in the field. Its peaked head shape and bold white ring around the bill tip are far easier field marks.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
3.
juvenile
A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
4.
adult
Fully grown with adult plumage.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aythya
Species: Aythya collaris