Drake Redhead beginning the Head-throw courtship display, Salt Lake County, UtahDrake Redhead beginning the Head-throw courtship display- Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

In early January I made a quick trip down to the local pond at about 10 o’clock in the morning because the sun had peeked through the dark gray clouds and I wanted to see if anything was happening with the ducks, geese, coots, grebes and possibly the Peregrine Falcon I had found there a few days earlier.

I’m glad that I made the trip down to the pond because I was able to photograph a drake Redhead exhibiting courtship display behavior several times as he tried to impress the hen that was nearby. I noticed that his neck and face sort of ballooned right before…

Redhead drake exhibiting Head-throw display, Salt Lake County, UtahRedhead drake exhibiting Head-throw display- Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The drake Redhead would move his head back into the Head-throw posture. I have to say the female wasn’t even paying attention to him, she was just outside of the frame here with her head tucked under her wing and her eyes shut.

Redhead drake showing extreme posture of Head-throw display, Salt Lake County, UtahRedhead drake showing extreme posture of Head-throw display- Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

The hen Redhead was really missing out on what I was seeing and photographing. This photo shows the drake in the most extreme posture of the Head-throw display behavior although I have read that sometimes the bill of the drake can touch the water in this position. Perhaps the hen wasn’t impressed but I certainly was!

Redhead drake Kinked-Neck display, Salt Lake County, UtahRedhead drake Kinked-Neck display- Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When the drake raised his head back up he gave what is called the Kinked-Neck display but to no avail because the hen Redhead didn’t even open her eyes.

I guess I could wish that the Redhead had been closer when I photographed this redhead drake performing his courtship display and that the angle of light had been better but I was delighted to see and photograph the courtship behavior of this diving duck that morning.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Redhead photos plus facts and information about this species.