Redhead
Aythya americana
The Redhead is a rare winter visitor to Britain, typically seen on large wetlands and estuaries, particularly in the south and west of the country, from October to April. It is a North American species that occasionally crosses the Atlantic, with most sightings in the UK involving individuals that have escaped from captivity or are vagrants.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Redhead in the field.
The Redhead can be identified by its distinctive reddish-brown head, grey back, and black rear end, as well as its broad, rounded head shape and steep forehead. Its bill is short and blue-grey in colour, and its eyes are yellow.
The Redhead is slightly larger than a Tufted Duck, with a similar size and build to a Pochard.
The male Redhead has a reddish-brown head, neck, and foreparts, with a grey back, wings, and tail, and a black rear end, with a distinctive yellow eye and blue-grey bill.
The female Redhead is similar to the male but with a duller, browner head and neck, and a greyish-brown body, lacking the male's distinctive reddish-brown colouration.
The Redhead's call is a low, nasal "ka-kank" or "krek", often repeated in a series of two or three notes.
Redheads are diving ducks that feed on aquatic plants, insects, and small invertebrates, often in shallow water, and are known for their fast, direct flight style and social behaviour, often gathering in large flocks.
The Redhead can be confused with other Aythya species, such as the Pochard and the Ferruginous Duck, but can be distinguished by its distinctive head shape, reddish-brown head colouration, and steep forehead, as well as its blue-grey bill and yellow eyes.
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