Canvasback

Among the ducks, the canvasback has a regal profile, with a long sloping forehead that runs unbroken into the bill. The drake’s rich chestnut head, black chest, and pale grey back make him one of the most striking ducks on the water. It is the largest of the diving ducks in North America.

Canvasbacks nest in prairie marshes, including the famous Delta Marsh on Lake Manitoba. They dive for the roots and tubers of aquatic plants, and the species is named for the pale, canvas-coloured back of the male. Many pass through Manitoba in spring and fall, gathering in large rafts on open water.

Here is one of my favourite frames of this bird.

Photos

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.