Canvasback Duck
CANVASBACK DUCK, female
Aythya valisineria
Family Anatidae
rare, accidental
L 560 mm (22"), wingspan 890 mm (35")
Bird # 487 - November 2015
This is a freshwater lake-dwelling diving duck. This duck gets its name from the color of its back which is supposed to look like canvas. These ducks are found in the United States and Canada. The largest proportion of canvasbacks nest on the North American prairies, from Minnesota and the Dakotas through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. But a few ducks have been reported in the United Kingdom. A long flight over the Atlantic.
Now it seems these two have flown across the Pacific. This is a new country record. Discovered by rarity master Richard Ruiz in November 2015. We went to Laoag a week or so later and we were able to photograph the birds in Lake Paoay. They seemed to be eating some kind of wild rice on the grass type plants in the edges of the lake. They would eat the green seeds and not the ones that looked ripe. Interesting to note that they would tilt their heads sideways to look at the seeds that were above their heads. The two ducks were also diving but we were unable to see if they caught anything. note: this record is not included in the WBCP checklist
Read MoreAythya valisineria
Family Anatidae
rare, accidental
L 560 mm (22"), wingspan 890 mm (35")
Bird # 487 - November 2015
This is a freshwater lake-dwelling diving duck. This duck gets its name from the color of its back which is supposed to look like canvas. These ducks are found in the United States and Canada. The largest proportion of canvasbacks nest on the North American prairies, from Minnesota and the Dakotas through Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. But a few ducks have been reported in the United Kingdom. A long flight over the Atlantic.
Now it seems these two have flown across the Pacific. This is a new country record. Discovered by rarity master Richard Ruiz in November 2015. We went to Laoag a week or so later and we were able to photograph the birds in Lake Paoay. They seemed to be eating some kind of wild rice on the grass type plants in the edges of the lake. They would eat the green seeds and not the ones that looked ripe. Interesting to note that they would tilt their heads sideways to look at the seeds that were above their heads. The two ducks were also diving but we were unable to see if they caught anything. note: this record is not included in the WBCP checklist
