An American duck (Aythya Americana) highly esteemed as a game bird. It is closely allied to the canvasback, but is smaller and its head brighter red. Called also red-headed duck. American poachard, grayback, and fall duck. See Illust. under Poachard.
Any duck of the genus Mergus, and also Goldeneye ( Bucephala clangula), other than a male in breeding plumage. In other words, females, immatures, and eclipse drakes, who all have reddish-brown heads. Often used independently after the species has been cited (eg; "Six Goldeneye on the lake, all redheads") or adjectivally in conjunction with the species name ("Is the redhead Smew still around?").