Male and female Canvasbacks exhibit distinct coloration. Males, or drakes, have a striking appearance with a chestnut-red head, black breast and rump, and a white body with fine silver-gray vermiculation. The female, or hen, is a more muted brownish-gray with a lighter, buffy brown head and a white belly. Both sexes share a long, sloping bill and a long, straight neck, especially noticeable in flight.

Male Canvasback (Drake):
• Head: Chestnut-red, sometimes described as rusty brown.
• Bill: Long, sloping, and black.
• Breast: Black.
• Back and Sides: White with fine silver-gray vermiculation.
• Belly: White.
• Rump: Black.
• Eyes: Red.

Female Canvasback (Hen):
• Head: Brownish-gray, with a lighter, buffy brown area on the head.
• Bill: Similar to the male, long and sloping.
• Body: Brownish-gray overall.
• Belly: White.
• Eyes: Dark.

Other notable features:
• Both sexes have a long, straight neck in flight, which is a key identifying feature.
• Males show a distinctive white back and upper wings in flight.
• Females appear more drab brown in flight.
• Canvasbacks are the largest diving duck in North America.