Revered by old-time waterfowlers as the King of Ducks, the noble canvasback has every trait a duck hunter can admire. It is large bodied, yet sleek and elegant. The scarlet head of the male is held high, and its striking blood-red eyes are unmistakable. The name "canvasback" is derived from the dusty white feathers on its back and sides. English settlers along the Atlantic coast thought these feathers looked like white canvas fabric. Photo by Ron Charest