Although not as imposing as the Canvasback, the redhead is a large, handsome, fast-flying diver.

The drake has a red head, black breast and tail coverts, and steel gray back, flanks and tail. Hens are a medium brown. During courtship, the drake utters a very un-duck-like meow.

Known for nest parasitism - laying eggs in the nests of other birds, usually other diving ducks - redhead eggs have also been found in the nests of a variety of species.

It is an uncommon summer resident in northeast Oregon, but commonly breeds at Batch and Bogus lakes and locally elsewhere in Malheur County.

Hear the call of the redhead

Photo by Kevin Bercaw, ODFW