Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

      Lake
   adjacent to:
      Any Emergent Wetland

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: A diving duck, the Canvasback prefers to feed in open water areas where wild celery and pondweeds are found. For nesting areas, Canvasbacks use larger, more permanent ponds where they select nest sites in emergent vegetation. A variety of emergent plants, including willows, cattail, white-top, and bulrush, have been reported to support Canvasback nests.

Habitat: Wintering: Coastal areas, with greatest concentrations occurring in the Chesapeake Bay areas. Prefers fresh and brackish estuarine bays with submerged plants, especially wild celery and eelgrass.

Special Habitat Requirements: Water areas with emergent vegetation, Stretches of open water for taking-off and landing.

It is characteristic of prairie marshes in summer and saltwater bays in winter. The Canvasback dives for its food, mainly the bases and roots of plants growing underwater. Its specific name, valisineria, refers to the scientific name of wild celery, an aquatic plant that is among its favored foods.

Habitat: Lakes, salt bays, estuaries; in summer, fresh marshes. For nesting, shallow marshes in prairie regions. Also large marshy lake complexes to the north, in boreal forests regions, and a few to edge of tundra. In migration, mostly on large lakes. Winters mainly near coast, on protected bays and estuaries, also on lakes in interior.

Diet: Mostly plant material. Mainly eats the leaves, roots, and seeds of aquatic plants, pondweeds, wild celery, sedges, grasses, and others. Also eats mollusks, insects, some small fish. In one study in summer, adult males continued to eat mostly plants, while females and young fed on aquatic insect larvae.

Nest: Site is in marsh, in stands of dense vegetation above shallow water. Sometimes on dry ground. Nest is basketlike and bulky, built of dead vegetation, lined with down.