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Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Redhead

Redhead

Aythya americana

Only the fourth or fifth record for Europe!

Photograph © Andy Robinson
Loch Barvas - Isle of Lewis - January 2006

• Redhead
• Aythya americana
• UK: Very Rare Vagrant
• UK: British Birds Rarities Commission (BBRC) 1950-2006 just 1 record (2001)
• WI: Very rare visitor (five or less records)
• Breeding: Usually each year from late-winter forms a pair with a different mate. Lays eggs in other ducks nests. Marshes, prairie potholes in N America. In decline due to lass of habitat
• Winter: Males usually go N to large bodies of water & moult breeding plumage (flightless approx month). Strongly migrant to southern states, Mexico & Caribbean. Very rare varant to Europe
• Diet: Feeds mostly diving or dabbling. Aquatic plants, molluscs, aquatic insects, small fish.
• Diving duck very similar to Pocard. Adult male bill blue (black tip?). Head & neck red. Breast black. Back grey. Yellow eyes. Adult female brown head & body. Darker bluish bill (black tip).
• Similar birds: Pochard (Almost identical but red eyes not yellow)

 

Redhead records in the Western Isles

Very rare visitor (five or less records)

The chart below shows how abundant the Redhead is during a month or when you are more likely to see it.

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

(Source: Outer Hebrides Birds Checklist)

 

 

Other local bird photographs

Sources of information for the bird sightings section

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