02/01/2026
Redhead ducks at South Padre Island, Texas
Brood Parasitism: A significant portion of female redheads do not build nests or raise their own young; instead, they "dump" eggs into the nests of other redheads, Canvasbacks, or other species.
Unique Nesting: When they do nest, they prefer building over water, often in dense vegetation.
Diet and Feeding: They are diving ducks that mainly eat plants (leaves, seeds, tubers),, but they also forage on the surface like dabbling ducks.
Migration and Habitat: They are found only in North America, with about 90% of the population migrating to the Laguna Madre in Texas and Mexico for the winter.
"Rafting" Behavior: They are very social and gather in large flocks called "rafts" on open water.
Courtship: Males attract mates with a "catlike meow" call, head-throwing, and neck-stretching displays.
Flight: They have rapid, erratic, and shallow wingbeats, making them distinct in flight.
Physical Features: Males have a bright red head, black chest, and grey back; females are tawny brown with a pale chin.
Lifespan: The oldest recorded redhead lived to be over 20 years and 7 months old
