Redhead (bird)

Redhead
Adult male, Maryland
Adult female with young, Montana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aythya
Species:
A. americana
Binomial name
Aythya americana
(Eyton, 1838)
  Breeding
  Year-round
  Migration
  Nonbreeding

Dickcissel male perched on a metal pole singing, with neck stretched and beak open.

Songs and calls
Listen to Redhead on xeno-canto

The redhead (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck. The scientific name is derived from Greek aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin americana, of America.[2] The redhead is 40–56 cm (16–22 in) long with an 74–84 cm (29–33 in) wingspan; the weight ranges from 1,030–1,080 g (36–38 oz),[3][4] with males weighing an average of 1,080 g (38 oz) and females an average of 1,030 g (36 oz).[4] It belongs to the genus Aythya, together with 11 other described species. The redhead and the common pochard form a sister group which together is sister to the canvasback.[5] This waterfowl is easily distinguished from most other ducks by the male's copper colored head and pale blue bill during the breeding season;[6] from its close relative canvasback it is distinguished by the more rounded head, shorter bill, and (in the males) yellow, not red, eye. The Eurasian common pochard is even more similar, but very rarely overlaps in range; it also differs in having a red eye, and a more acute, less rounded head shape.[4]

Other names that have been used for the redhead include red-headed duck and the red-headed pochard.[7]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Aythya americana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22680367A92859064. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680367A92859064.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 44, 64. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  3. ^ Carboneras, C. (1992). "Family Anatidae (Ducks, Geese and Swans)". In del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona, Spain: Lynx Edicions. p. 616. ISBN 84-87334-10-5.
  4. ^ a b c Madge, Steve; Burn, Hilary (1988). Wildfowl: An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World. London: Christopher Helm. ISBN 978-0-7470-2201-5.
  5. ^ Livezey, Bradley C. (1996-01-01). "A Phylogenetic Analysis of Modern Pochards (Anatidae: Aythyini)". The Auk. 113 (1): 74–93. doi:10.2307/4088937. JSTOR 4088937.
  6. ^ Johnson, W.P.; Lockwood, M. (2013). Texas Waterfowl. College Station (TX): Texas A & M University Press.
  7. ^ Johnsgard, P.A. (1975). Waterfowl of North America. Waterfowl of North America: Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253363602.