Drake Canvasback

Drake and a Hen Canvasback

SIZE

Ave. length = 21"

Weight = 3lbs

Wingspan = 33"

ABOUT THEM

Most of the Cans in Wisconsin breed in the prairie pothole regions of Canada and Alaska. The loss of wintering habitat has caused declines in their numbers. The market hunting of the nineteenth century also took a toll on their numbers. Over 300,000 Cans pass through Wisconsin on a major migration route down the pools of the Mississippi. Pools 8 and 9 are major staging areas during their trip to the wintering grounds of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Wisconsin has restricted Hunters to one bird a day on a restricted season. The breeding population is 580,000 birds an 18% decrease from 2000. But its still above the goal of 540,000 by the NAWMP. The Canvasback fly's in V or straight line formations at a speed of over 70 mph. 80% of their diet is vegetable. They have a rapid and noisy wing beat and the Hen quacks similar to a Hen Mallard but at a lower tone. When alarmed they produce a high pitched scream. The Drake displays for the Hen using a head bobbing motion and cooing sound. The Hen prefers to build Her nest over water in bulrushes, cattails, or flooded grasses. Often Hens use other Duck nests to lay Her eggs in including Redhead nests. This parasitism often isn't successful as incubating Her own eggs. She lays between 9-11 grayish-olive eggs which incubate for about 24 days. The Drake then leaves to molt. The young are able to fly in about 8-9 weeks. The depletion of their old favorite food source celery has caused them to use other aquatic plant food sources. They will sometimes dive to over 20 feet to reach aquatic plants to eat. The Hen will travel with Her Brood never spending more than seven days at the same spot. Next to Pintails they are the most mobile of all Ducks.

Back To Wisconsin Ducks

Back Home

DESCRIPTION

Drake has a chestnut to red head and neck, black chest, whitish to charcoal back, white underbody, and gray wing speculum. The Hen has a brownish head and breast, whitish belly, and gray wing speculum. Both have a wedged head and black or blue feet, yellow or orange feet, and black bills.