Redhead
Aythya americana
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Cordats)
- ClassAves (Aus)
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae (Anàtids)
- GenusAythya (Scaups, Pochards, and Allies)
- SpeciesAythya americana (Redhead)
The redhead (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck. Its scientific name is derived from Greek aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin americana, of America. The redhead is 40–56 cm (16–22 in) long with an 74–84 cm (29–33 in) wingspan; weights range from 1,030–1,080 g (36–38 oz), with males weighing an average of 1,080 g (38 oz) and females an average of 1,030 g (36 oz). It belongs to the genus Aythya, together with 11 other described species. The redhead and the common pochard form a sister group, which together are sister to the canvasback. This waterfowl is easily distinguished from most other ducks by the male's copper-colored head and pale blue bill during the breeding season; from its close relative, canvasback, it is distinguished by the more rounded head, shorter bill, and (in the males) yellow, not red, eyes. Wikipedia →
<5% of wildlife watchers report a Redhead sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 65 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
Closest Relatives at Big Bend National Park
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Mexican Duck
Anas diazi
Blue-winged Teal
Spatula discors
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Cinnamon Teal
Spatula cyanoptera
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
📅 Monthly Probability
☀️ When They're Spotted
Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Redhead in Big Bend National Park?
About 1% of wildlife watchers report a Redhead sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 65 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Redhead in Big Bend National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Redhead in Big Bend National Park in our monthly data.