canvasback

American  

[kan-vuhs-bak] / ˈkæn vəsˌbæk /

noun

• canvasbacks,
  plural
• canvasback
  plural

1. a North American wild duck, Aythya valisineria, the male of which has a whitish back and a reddish-brown head and neck.

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canvasback British  

/ ˈkænvəsˌbæk /

noun

1. a North American diving duck, Aythyra valisineria, the male of which has a white body and reddish-brown head

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• canvasback
  plural
• canvasbacks
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of canvasback

An Americanism dating back to 1595–1605; after the canvaslike color of its back

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Compare meaning

How does canvasback compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• canvasback vs. redhead

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

canvasback canvasbacks

On the banks of Yosemite Creek, brown-headed canvasback ducks plunged and preened.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 1, 2021

A dozen raw oysters, chicken gumbo, a terrapin stew, two canvasback ducks, mashed potatoes, lima beans, macaroni, asparagus, cole slaw and stewed corn, one hot mince pie and a quart of coffee.

From Time Magazine Archive

For dinner a director of the Pennsylvania Railroad had presented a canvasback duck.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mallards, pintails and wigeon make up the bulk of the puddlers, while available divers include bluebills, redheads, buffleheads and an occasional canvasback.

From Time Magazine Archive

"The much despised ruddy," was his reply, "the superior of the canvasback when properly handled."

From Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast by Harry Thom Payne

Also spotted, but in fewer numbers, were snow geese, buffleheads, redheads, goldeneyes, American widgeon, ruddy, ring-necked, canvasbacks, scaup and wood ducks.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 15, 2015

The blue and green-winged teal had already begun to fly; canvasbacks, mallards, widgeons, pintails, shovelers and redheads would follow soon, before and with the frost.

From Time Magazine Archive

Late on summer evenings when I could get the canvasbacks by themselves I knelt, leaning over the edge of the bank, throwing small pieces of bread.

From Time Magazine Archive

Next day, from a New York Rod & Gun Club blind on Spesuti Island, he shot four black ducks and eight canvasbacks.

From Time Magazine Archive

Moreover, I have laid aside two canvasbacks, the best I ever saw—it was in the hope that some really good friend of mine would come in.

From The Lady and the Pirate Being the Plain Tale of a Diligent Pirate and a Fair Captive by Harry A. Mathes

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