Canvasback

Canvasback

Taxobox
name = Canvasback
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1



image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Anseriformes
familia = Anatidae
genus = "Aythya"
species = "A. valisineria"
binomial = "Aythya valisineria"
binomial_authority = (Wilson, 1814)
synonyms ="Aythya vallisneria" ("lapsus")

The Canvasback ("Aythya valisineria"), historically known in the United States as a "Sheldrake", is a large diving duck, 48-60 cm long and weighing 1270 g.

The adult male has a black bill, a red head and neck, a black breast, red eyes and a whitish body. The adult female has a brown head and body and a black bill.

Their breeding habitat is North American prairie wetlands. The bulky nest is built from vegetation in a marsh and lined with down. Loss of nesting habitat has caused populations to decline. Canvasbacks usually take new mates each year, pairing in late winter.

Canvasbacks are strongly migratory and overwinter on the coasts of the United States, the Great Lakes and British Columbia in saltwater bays, estuaries or lakes. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Canvasbacks feed mainly by diving, sometimes dabbling, mostly eating aquatic plants with some molluscs, aquatic insects and small fish. Wild celery, "Valisneria americana", is a favourite food and is the origin of this bird's species name.

The canvasback sometimes lays eggs in other canvasback nests.

References and external links

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* [http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Canvasback.html Canvasback Information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology]
* [http://www.sdakotabirds.com/species/canvasback_info.htm Canvasback Information and Photos: South Dakota Birds and Birding]
* [http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i1470id.html Canvasback: USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • canvasback — ☆ canvasback [kan′vəsbak΄ ] n. pl. canvasbacks or canvasback [< the grayish, canvaslike appearance of the back] a large, North American wild duck (Aythya valisneria) with a brownish red head, dark breast, and light gray back, hunted as a game… …   English World dictionary

  • Canvasback — Can vas*back , n. (Zo[ o]l.) A Species of duck ({Aythya vallisneria}), esteemed for the delicacy of its flesh. It visits the United States in autumn; particularly Chesapeake Bay and adjoining waters; so named from the markings of the plumage on… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • canvasback — /kan veuhs bak /, n., pl. canvasbacks, (esp. collectively) canvasback. a North American wild duck, Aythya valisineria, the male of which has a whitish back and a reddish brown head and neck. [1595 1605, Amer.; after the canvaslike color of its… …   Universalium

  • canvasback — noun A North American wild duck, Aythya valisineria, popular as a game bird. Yesterday, I received a great present from Mr. Webster, from Washington; a large basket of canvasback ducks and a large turkey …   Wiktionary

  • canvasback — ilgasnapė rudagalvė antis statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Aythya valisineria angl. canvasback vok. Riesentafelente, f rus. длинноносый красноголовый нырок, m pranc. fuligule à dos blanc, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas –… …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • canvasback — noun North American wild duck valued for sport and food • Syn: ↑canvasback duck, ↑Aythya valisineria • Hypernyms: ↑duck • Member Holonyms: ↑Aythya, ↑genus Aythya …   Useful english dictionary

  • canvasback duck — noun North American wild duck valued for sport and food • Syn: ↑canvasback, ↑Aythya valisineria • Hypernyms: ↑duck • Member Holonyms: ↑Aythya, ↑genus Aythya * * * noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • canvasback — noun Date: 1782 a North American wild duck (Aythya valisineria) that has a reddish brown head, black breast, and whitish body and is characterized especially by the elongate sloping profile of the bill and head …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • canvasback — n. type of American duck …   English contemporary dictionary

  • canvasback — noun a North American diving duck related to the pochard. [Aythya valisineria.] …   English new terms dictionary

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