By North Carolina boasts a rich diversity of duck species, thriving in its diverse aquatic habitats. Among the notable ducks found in North Carolina are the Mallard, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, American Black Duck, and Gadwall.
These ducks inhabit various wetlands, marshes, lakes, and coastal areas throughout the state. During the winter months, North Carolina serves as a critical stopover for migratory duck species, including the Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, and American Wigeon.
Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can enjoy observing these ducks in their natural habitats, whether exploring the coastal estuaries, freshwater ponds, or inland rivers that characterise North Carolina’s diverse landscape.
20 Types of Ducks in North Carolina
Ring-necked Duck
The Ring-necked Duck is a medium-sized diving duck found across North America. Despite its name, this duck does not have a prominent ring around its neck. Instead, it has a subtle chestnut-coloured ring that can be difficult to see in the field. Its distinctive features include a black back, white belly, and a peaked head shape.
Ring-necked Ducks inhabit freshwater lakes, marshes, and wooded swamps during the breeding season, where they nest in dense vegetation near the water’s edge.
During migration, they may also be found in coastal habitats. They primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates, diving underwater to forage for food. Ring-necked Ducks are known for their synchronised diving behaviour, often diving simultaneously and resurfacing in unison.
Lesser Scaup
The Lesser Scaup, also known as the “little bluebill,” is a small to medium-sized diving duck found throughout North America. Its name “scaup” comes from the Dutch word “schaap,” meaning “dive.”
These ducks have rounded heads and a bluish bill with a black tip. Males have a glossy black head, while females have brown heads with a white patch near the bill. Lesser Scaups breed in northern regions and migrate southward for the winter, often forming large flocks on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
They primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates, diving underwater to find food. Conservation efforts such as wetland protection and habitat restoration are crucial for maintaining healthy populations of Lesser Scaups, as they rely on wetlands for breeding, migration stopovers, and wintering grounds.
Greater Scaup
The Greater Scaup, also known as the “bluebill,” is a medium to large diving duck found across North America, Europe, and Asia. These ducks have a distinctive blue bill with a black tip, and males have dark heads with a greenish sheen, while females are brown with a white patch near the bill.
Greater Scaups breed in the northern regions of their range and migrate southward for the winter, forming large flocks on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
They feed primarily on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates, diving underwater to forage. Conservation efforts such as wetland protection and habitat restoration are essential for maintaining healthy populations of Greater Scaups, as they depend on wetlands for breeding, migration stopovers, and wintering areas.
Common Goldeneye
The Common Goldeneye is a medium-sized diving duck found across North America and parts of Europe and Asia. Known for its striking appearance, males have glossy green heads, white bodies with black backs, and distinctive yellow eyes.
Females are smaller and have brownish-grey plumage with a darker head. These ducks breed in forested areas near freshwater lakes and ponds, nesting in tree cavities. During the winter, they migrate to open water bodies, including coastal areas and large lakes.
Common Goldeneyes are skilled divers, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, fish, and plant matter. Conservation efforts such as habitat preservation and wetland restoration are crucial for protecting breeding and wintering habitats for these ducks.
Bufflehead
The Bufflehead is a small diving duck commonly found in North America. Known for its striking black and white plumage, the male Bufflehead has a glossy green head with a large white patch, while females have a brown head with a smaller white patch.
They prefer nesting in tree cavities near freshwater lakes and ponds, often competing with other cavity-nesting species like Wood Ducks and Common Goldeneyes. During the winter, Buffleheads migrate to coastal waters and large lakes, where they dive for aquatic invertebrates, fish, and plant matter.
Conservation efforts, including habitat preservation and the creation of artificial nest boxes, are essential for protecting Bufflehead populations.
Hooded Merganser
The Hooded Merganser is a small-sized diving duck found in North America. It gets its name from the striking black and white crest on the male’s head, which can be raised or lowered depending on its mood. Females have a cinnamon-brown crest and a grayish body.
These ducks prefer wooded wetlands with plenty of vegetation and nest in tree cavities, often competing with other cavity-nesting species for nesting sites. They feed primarily on fish and aquatic invertebrates by diving underwater.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. Conservation efforts for Hooded Mergansers focus on preserving and restoring their wetland habitats, as well as monitoring and regulating hunting activities.
Common Merganser
The Common Merganser, also known as the Goosander in Europe, is a large diving duck found across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Known for their slender, elongated bodies and serrated bills, these ducks are proficient swimmers and divers, often seen in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Male Common Mergansers have striking black and white bodies with greenish heads, while females have a more muted grey appearance with a reddish-brown head.
During the breeding season, they nest in tree cavities near water, laying their eggs in nests lined with down feathers. They primarily feed on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects, which they catch by diving underwater.
Red-breasted Merganser
The Red-breasted Merganser is a medium-sized diving duck found in North America, Europe, and Asia. Easily distinguished by its long, thin bill and striking plumage, males sport a dark green head with a white collar, while females have a reddish-brown head and gray body.
They inhabit coastal waters during the breeding season and migrate to inland lakes and rivers in winter. Red-breasted Mergansers are skilled divers, using their serrated bills to catch fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic prey.
They nest in sheltered areas near water, using grasses and down feathers to create their nests. Conservation efforts for these birds include protecting nesting habitats, managing water quality, and monitoring populations to ensure their continued survival.
Ruddy Duck
The Ruddy Duck is a small, stout-bodied diving duck commonly found in North and South America. It is characterised by its distinctive stiff tail, bright blue bill, and chestnut body during breeding season.
Outside of breeding season, males and females have more subdued plumage, with a grey-brown body and pale face markings. Ruddy Ducks prefer freshwater habitats such as ponds, marshes, and lakes, where they feed on aquatic plants, insects, and small crustaceans.
During courtship displays, males inflate their necks and slap their bills against their chests to produce a distinctive bubbling sound. Conservation efforts for Ruddy Ducks focus on preserving their wetland habitats and controlling invasive species that may compete with them for resources.
Northern Shoveler
The Northern Shoveler is a distinctive dabbling duck known for its large spatula-shaped bill, which it uses to sift through shallow water and mud for food. These ducks have a unique appearance, with a green head, white chest, chestnut-coloured sides, and a blue patch on their wings.
They are commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes across North America, Europe, and Asia. Northern Shovelers feed primarily on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant matter. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females, including vigorous head-bobbing and wing-flapping.
Gadwall
The Gadwall is a medium-sized dabbling duck with a subtle yet elegant appearance. It features a mottled brown body, a black rear end, and a distinct white patch on its speculum, or wing.
These ducks are commonly found in freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and lakes across North America, Europe, and Asia. They feed primarily on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates, using their broad bill to filter food from the water’s surface.
During the breeding season, male Gadwalls display a distinctive black patch on their chest and perform courtship displays to attract females. Conservation efforts for Gadwalls focus on protecting their wetland habitats from pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species.
American Wigeon
The American Wigeon, also known as the Baldpate, is a medium-sized dabbling duck found across North America. These ducks are easily recognizable by the male’s distinctive white crown and forehead, along with a green patch running from its eye to the back of its head. Female American Wigeons have a mottled brown appearance, helping them blend into their wetland habitats.
They prefer shallow marshes, ponds, and grassy areas near water bodies where they feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and grasses. During the breeding season, male Wigeons perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females.
Conservation efforts for American Wigeons focus on protecting their habitats from pollution, habitat loss, and hunting pressures. Wetland restoration projects play a crucial role in ensuring suitable breeding and wintering grounds for these ducks, helping to maintain their populations for future generations to enjoy.
Black Scoter
The Black Scoter is a sea duck commonly found along the coasts of North America, particularly in the colder northern regions during the winter months. These ducks are predominantly black with a distinctive bulbous bill that is mostly orange with a black tip.
They inhabit coastal waters, preferring areas with rocky shores and submerged vegetation where they dive to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. During the breeding season, Black Scoters migrate to their nesting grounds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska, where they nest near freshwater lakes and ponds.
Conservation efforts for Black Scoters focus on protecting their coastal habitats from pollution, oil spills, and disturbances caused by human activities such as boating and coastal development.
Wood Duck
The Wood Duck, also known as the Carolina Duck, is a colourful and distinctive species of waterfowl found in North America. Its vibrant plumage and unique markings make it easily recognizable.
Wood Ducks primarily inhabit wooded swamps, marshes, and shallow lakes with plenty of vegetation for cover. They are known for their cavity-nesting behaviour, often using natural tree hollows or nesting boxes provided by conservation efforts.
These ducks are omnivorous, feeding on a diet of aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small aquatic creatures. During the breeding season, males display their striking plumage and engage in elaborate courtship displays to attract females.
American Black Duck
The American Black Duck is a species of dabbling duck native to North America. It closely resembles the Mallard in appearance but can be distinguished by its darker plumage and unique coloration.
These ducks inhabit a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, and estuaries, where they feed on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. They are primarily migratory birds, breeding in northern regions during the summer and migrating south to overwinter along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
The American Black Duck faces threats from habitat loss, pollution, hunting, and competition with other duck species. Conservation efforts aim to protect and restore their wetland habitats, regulate hunting practices, and monitor population trends to ensure the long-term survival of this species.
Northern Pintail
The Northern Pintail is a species of dabbling duck found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. It is easily recognized by its long, slender neck, pointed tail feathers, and distinctive markings. These ducks prefer shallow freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and lakes, where they forage for aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates.
Northern Pintails are highly migratory birds, breeding in northern regions during the summer and migrating south to warmer climates for the winter. They form large flocks during migration, often travelling long distances to reach their wintering grounds.
Despite their widespread distribution, Northern Pintails face threats from habitat loss, pollution, hunting, and climate change.
Blue-winged Teal
The Blue-winged Teal is a small dabbling duck commonly found across North and Central America. Identified by its distinctive blue-grey wing patches, this species inhabits various wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes.
Blue-winged Teals primarily feed on seeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates. They are known for their agile flight and swift movements in water. During breeding season, males display vibrant plumage with bold markings, while females have more subdued colours for camouflage.
Blue-winged Teals exhibit migratory behaviour, with populations in northern regions migrating southward to warmer areas during the winter months.
Green-winged Teal
The Green-winged Teal, a small dabbling duck, is recognized for its striking plumage and distinctive green wing patch. These ducks are prevalent across North America, favouring freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes.
Green-winged Teals primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and insects found in their wetland environments. During the breeding season, males display vibrant plumage with iridescent green patches on their wings, while females have more subdued colours for camouflage.
Like many duck species, Green-winged Teals exhibit migratory behaviour, with northern populations migrating southward to warmer regions during the winter months. Conservation efforts for Green-winged Teals include habitat preservation, wetland restoration, and monitoring of population trends.
Canvasback
The Canvasback duck, known for its distinctive red head and long, sloping profile, is a migratory waterfowl found in North America. These ducks prefer freshwater habitats such as marshes, lakes, and rivers, where they dive to feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates.
During the breeding season, Canvasbacks migrate to northern regions with abundant wetlands, nesting in shallow marshes or on floating vegetation. Their nests are often concealed among reeds or grasses near the water’s edge.
Canvasbacks are highly skilled divers, capable of staying underwater for extended periods while foraging. Conservation efforts for Canvasback populations include habitat preservation, wetland restoration, and monitoring of migration patterns.
Redhead
The Redhead duck, named for its vibrant reddish-brown head, is a medium-sized diving duck found throughout North America. These ducks inhabit freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes, particularly during the breeding season.
Redheads are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates. During the breeding season, they build nests concealed among dense vegetation near the water’s edge.
Female Redheads typically lay a clutch of 8-10 eggs, which they incubate for about three weeks until they hatch. After hatching, the ducklings are precocial, able to swim and forage shortly after birth.
Redheads are migratory birds, with populations breeding in northern regions of North America and wintering in southern areas, including Mexico and the Gulf Coast.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, understanding the diverse species of ducks enriches our appreciation for the natural world. Each species has unique characteristics, behaviours, and habitats that contribute to the intricate web of life. Whether they’re soaring through the sky in migration, nesting along tranquil waterways, or diving beneath the surface in search of food, ducks play vital roles in ecosystems worldwide.
Their beauty and resilience inspire conservation efforts to protect their habitats and ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy. By learning about and appreciating these remarkable birds, we gain insight into the delicate balance of nature and our responsibility to steward the planet’s resources wisely.