American Black Ducks start to arrive about the same time. Some ducks may spend a good portion of the winter on the lake, especially if weather conditions in Nashville remain mild as they have for the last few years. Common winter residents include Gadwall, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, and Lesser Scaup. Radnor Lake is in fact one of the few places where Canvasback ducks can be seen from a short distance since they are easily frightened on most other bodies of water. The ducks seem to know that they are protected at Radnor Lake and only here can they breathe easy and relax, without threat of gun, dog, or motorboat.
Canvasbacks are red-headed with a white body and black on each end.
They have a sloping forehead. Bufflehead are also very common on the lake. The American Coot, a slate-colored bird with a white bill, is also very common. It winters in large numbers on the lake and slough. Rarely spotted is the Common Pintail and the American Bald Eagle.