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Autumn migration has begun all over the world. This beautiful North American bird is known for its color and for its dependably routine seasonal appearance.

Great article, Carrie!

I have never seen this duck. You are very lucky. They are very striking birds.

You are right about that, Debbie! They are striking in appearance. I can only imagine how exceptional they must appear when they are in hand - something I have not seen.

Sometimes, though, because of their superficial similarity, many people assume they are looking at canvasback ducks and entirely miss identifying the redheads. If you see a flock of canvasbacks, look much more closely and study the flock. You will most of the time come to realize that you are actually seeing redheads mixed in with them. Here is a decent, high noon photo which shows how easily you can overlook the redheads in a flock of canvasbacks. The smaller male redhead, with his rounded head, silvered back, and powder-blue beak, is in front of the male canvasback.

If you live anywhere in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba you will see them at lakes, farm ponds, playas, prairie potholes and oases at some time in some part of the year. This range map will help you know when to start looking for them in one of these areas.

As the map shows, redheads are also scattered through much of northern Central America in the winter, and some areas of Canada in the summer as well. If you live in those areas, you may try looking for them at those times.

Great picture and range map. Thank you for that, Carrie. Looks like they are in my area in the winter, but I have never had the pleasure of seeing them.

Hi Carrie,

A couple of years ago when we were at a reservoir outside of Oaxaca City in the indigenous weaving town of Teotitlan del Valle, our group's naturalist/bird guide, Mark Pretti, got real excited and animated when he saw and then pointed out/described to us some redheads off in the distance in the water. This was the first time that he had seen them in Oaxaca- thus, we had to hand write in that remarkable looking bird to our pre-printed checklist. A most memorable experience!

Thanks for providing articles that informatively and descriptively go beyond just the mere basics!