The Redhead duck (Aythya americana) is a medium-sized diving duck native to North America, recognized for the male’s distinct copper-colored head and gray body. They primarily inhabit aquatic environments such as freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes, but also frequent brackish and coastal bays. Understanding their natural diet is important for appreciating their ecological role within wetland ecosystems.
Primary Food Sources
Redhead ducks are omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal matter, though their diet is predominantly plant-based for much of the year. A large portion of their diet consists of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), including specific plants like pondweeds, wild celery, muskgrass, sedges, and shoalgrass. They also consume other aquatic plants such as coontail, bulrushes, water lilies, and various types of algae.
Redheads supplement their diet with small aquatic invertebrates. These animal protein sources become important during the breeding season for females and ducklings to support egg production and growth. Common invertebrates consumed include insect larvae (such as caddisflies, midges, and mayflies), mollusks like snails, clams, and mussels, and crustaceans like scuds.
Feeding Habits and Techniques
Redhead ducks are classified as diving ducks, and this is their primary method for acquiring food. They dive underwater to reach submerged plants and invertebrates. Their legs are positioned further back on their bodies, which makes them efficient underwater propellers. They can remain submerged for 10-30 seconds.
The Redhead’s bill structure is adapted for sifting through mud and vegetation to find food. While primarily diving, Redheads also exhibit “dabbling” behavior in shallower waters, where they may tip their bodies or immerse their heads to access food just below the surface. This flexibility allows them to forage in various water depths and conditions.
Seasonal and Habitat Influences
The diet of Redhead ducks changes depending on the season and the specific habitat they occupy. During the breeding season, particularly for females, there is a notable increase in the consumption of protein-rich invertebrates to support egg development and the energy demands of raising young. In fact, during this period, up to 77% of a female’s diet can be animal matter.
Conversely, during migration and winter, their diet shifts to primarily plant material, often comprising 80-90% of their intake. Different wetland habitats also influence food availability; for example, Redheads wintering in the Laguna Madre bays along the Gulf Coast largely consume shoalgrass. Freshwater marshes, brackish estuaries, and coastal bays each offer a unique array of aquatic plants and invertebrates, leading to regional variations in their diet.
What Not to Feed Redhead Ducks
Feeding wild Redhead ducks human foods can be detrimental to their health. Items like bread, crackers, chips, popcorn, and other processed foods offer minimal nutritional value and can lead to serious health issues. These “empty carbohydrates” can cause ducks to gain weight too rapidly, potentially leading to conditions like “angel wing,” where wing joints develop improperly, preventing flight.
Feeding ducks can cause unnatural congregation, increasing the spread of diseases among birds. Uneaten food can also pollute their habitat and attract pests. It is best to avoid feeding wild ducks to ensure they maintain their natural foraging behaviors and receive appropriate nutrition from their environment.