Redhead
Images copyright by Mark A. Chappell
Redheads are very interesting ducks, noted for their habit of nest parasitism. Females frequently lay eggs in the nests of other species (such as mallards, scaup, etc.), to be incubated and cared for by the host species. This is a facultative form of brood parasitism (not obligate as in cowbirds or Old World cuckoos), as they can take care of their own eggs if necessary. These male redheads (plus one female, below at left) were photographed on Mission Bay in San Diego, California -- one of the only place I've found where one can (sometimes) get within photographic range of these wary birds. Usually they fly off well before you get into photography range, as in the bottom right image (San Jacinto Wildlife Area near Riverside, CA). The flying female bird was at Bolsa Chica wetlands in coastal Orange County, CA.
