Redhead
Redhead
Aythya americana
Aves
COMMON

Stats

Lifespan
10-15 yrs
Size
Medium
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Social
Flock
Biome
Freshwater wetland
Range
North America
Movement
Flight
Breeding
Egg-laying
Defense
Speed
Status
Common

About

This diving duck inhabits freshwater marshes and shallow lakes across North America. It frequently lays its eggs in the nests of other birds to avoid raising its own ducklings.

Life cycle

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

Learn more

Taxonomy

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