Canvasback
![smart Canvasback sitting down](https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Canvasback-Facce-on-JoB-1024x684.jpg)
Canvasbacks feed on vegetation, often diving to excavate what they can find on the bottom. The females select the nest sites, often in vegetation over water.
![](https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/IWWA-canvasback-1024x367.jpg)
Aythya valisineria
The Canvasback is a common, large diving duck, native to North America. They have a well-established breeding population through central Canada, north through the middle of the continent into central and northern Alaska. They over-winter in the southern United States and along the west and east coasts of Canada as well. There is significant overlap between breeding areas and over-wintering spots. There are some isolated breeding populations along the Canadian border with the United States.
![](https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Canvasback-family-Pinola-1024x631.jpg)
This duck spends most of its breeding season in freshwater lakes and prairie potholes. They re-establish new mates each year, while aggregating in winter colonies.
![Canvasback drakes at Pinola](https://www.waterfowl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Canvasback-drakes-Pinola.jpg)
Canvasbacks lay 5-10 eggs, the duck incubates for 24-26 days and she rears the young. Nests are often parasitized by their close cousin, the Redhead. Canvasbacks are relatively common in captivity.