TAXONOMY : The currently recognized scientific name for the canvasback is Aythyavalisineria (Wilson).The Canvasback is somewhat uncommon in the Omaha area and is very seldom seen in the Great Marsh in the Forest. The best times to see it would be March and then in late October/early November.
Interestingly, canvasback hens sometimes also lay their eggs in other canvasback nests, a behaviour known as "egg dumping". This is possibly due to two reasons: (1) these eggs act as an "insurance policy" that at least one of the parasitic female's offspring manages to survive should she lose her own nest to predators and (2) more ducklings overall mean the host's offspring are less likely to be eaten by predators. This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation).
Interestingly, canvasback hens sometimes also lay their eggs in other canvasback nests, a behaviour known as "egg dumping". This is possibly due to two reasons: (1) these eggs act as an "insurance policy" that at least one of the parasitic female's offspring manages to survive should she lose her own nest to predators and (2) more ducklings overall mean the host's offspring are less likely to be eaten by predators. This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation).