If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)

2/24/02 San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA 
2/24/02 San Jacinto Wildlife Area 

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Canvasback

SPECIES: Aythya valisineria

FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)

LIFE LIST DATE: 2/24/2002

LOCATION: 2 pairs observed at San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America & Stokes Field Guide to Birds-Western Region:

BEHAVIOR/HABITAT: This elegant diver nests on prairie marshes, winter on lakes and bays, sometimes in large flocks. Wary and swift in flight, often filching high in V-formation. Like some other ducks that nest on northern prairies, the Canvasback was once much more numerous than it is today.

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 21"; Larger than related species of diving ducks. Shape is best field mark: most easily recognized by the long ski-jump profile of the head and bill. Male has chestnut head, black bill, black chest, whitish back. Female has pale tan head and neck contrasting with dark bill and grayish body. 

VOICE: Female gives soft krr-krr. Male gives cooing note during courtship.
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