By New Jersey offers a variety of duck species for birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts to observe throughout the state’s diverse ecosystems. Among the ducks commonly found in New Jersey are the Mallard, Wood Duck, American Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall.
These ducks inhabit a range of habitats, including freshwater ponds, marshes, lakes, and coastal estuaries. During the winter months, New Jersey serves as a crucial stopover for migratory ducks, such as the Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, and Ring-necked Duck.
Whether exploring the state’s coastal regions, inland waterways, or urban parks, birdwatchers can delight in observing the various duck species that call New Jersey home or visit during their seasonal migrations.
20 Types of Ducks in New Jersey
Mallard
The Mallard, often recognized by its distinctive iridescent green head and bright yellow bill, is one of the most familiar duck species worldwide. In North Carolina, Mallards are commonly seen in a variety of habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and marshes. They are adaptable birds, able to thrive in urban, suburban, and rural environments.
Mallards are omnivorous, feeding on a diverse diet of plants, seeds, insects, and small aquatic creatures. During the breeding season, males display striking courtship behaviours, including head bobbing and vocalisations, to attract females.
Mallards are also known for their strong migratory instincts, with many individuals travelling long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. Overall, Mallards play a significant role in North Carolina’s ecosystems and are enjoyed by birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Northern Pintail
The Northern Pintail, distinguished by its long, slender neck and pointed tail feathers, is a graceful duck commonly found in North America, including North Carolina. These birds prefer open wetland habitats such as marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes. Northern Pintails are known for their elegant appearance and swift flight.
During the breeding season, males display striking plumage, featuring chocolate-brown heads and white stripes running down their necks. Female Northern Pintails have more subdued colouring, with mottled brown plumage that provides camouflage during nesting.
These ducks are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, and grains. Northern Pintails are also migratory birds, travelling long distances between their breeding grounds in North America and their wintering areas in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. In North Carolina, they can be observed during the fall and winter months, contributing to the state’s rich avian diversity.
Ring-necked Duck
The Ring-necked Duck, often found in North Carolina, is a medium-sized diving duck with distinctive markings. Despite its name, the Ring-necked Duck does not have a visible ring on its neck but instead features a subtle chestnut-coloured ring around its neck.
These ducks inhabit freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and lakes, where they dive underwater to forage for food. Their diet primarily consists of aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates. Ring-necked Ducks are known for their striking appearance, with glossy black plumage, white markings on their wings, and a bright yellow eye.
During the breeding season, males display a purplish sheen on their heads. These ducks are migratory, breeding in northern regions of North America and wintering in the southern United States and Mexico. In North Carolina, Ring-necked Ducks are commonly sighted during the fall and winter months, adding to the state’s diverse waterfowl population.
Green-winged Teal
The Green-winged Teal is a small dabbling duck found in North Carolina, recognized by its distinctive green wing patch. These ducks inhabit a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes. They have a compact body, short neck, and a distinctive green stripe on their wings. Male Green-winged Teals have a colourful plumage, featuring a chestnut-coloured head with a green eye patch and a buff-coloured breast with black speckling.
Females have more subdued plumage, with a mottled brown appearance. Green-winged Teals primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and insects, which they forage for by dabbling at the water’s surface or by tipping up to reach submerged vegetation.
During the breeding season, these ducks migrate to northern regions of North America, including Canada and Alaska, and they winter in the southern United States and Mexico. In North Carolina, Green-winged Teals are commonly seen during the fall and winter months, adding to the state’s rich bird diversity.
Greater Scaup
The Greater Scaup, also known as the Bluebill, is a medium-sized diving duck found in North Carolina’s coastal regions during the winter months. These ducks have striking black and white plumage with iridescent purple or green highlights on their heads.
Male Greater Scaups have glossy black heads, while females have brown heads and bodies with white patches on their faces. They are known for their distinctive blue-grey bills, which give them their common name.
Greater Scaups prefer open water habitats such as coastal bays, estuaries, and large lakes where they dive to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants. During the breeding season, they migrate to breeding grounds in northern North America, including Alaska and Canada. In North Carolina, Greater Scaups can be observed in large flocks along the coast, where they gather to feed and rest before continuing their migration journey.
Wood Duck
The Wood Duck, scientifically known as Aix sponsa, is a colourful and distinctive species found in North Carolina’s wetlands, swamps, and wooded areas. Known for its vibrant plumage, the male Wood Duck boasts striking iridescent hues of green, purple, and white, along with distinctive patterns on its head and body. Females are more subdued, with mottled brown feathers for camouflage.
Wood Ducks are cavity nesters, often utilising tree hollows or artificial nest boxes placed near water bodies for breeding. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, and aquatic plants, supplemented with insects and invertebrates.
These ducks are proficient swimmers and adept fliers, capable of navigating through dense vegetation with agility. Wood Ducks are a common sight throughout the year in North Carolina, where they contribute to the region’s rich biodiversity and serve as an important indicator of wetland health.
Canvasback
The Canvasback duck, recognized by its distinctive profile and reddish-brown head, is a prominent waterfowl species inhabiting various regions of North America, including North Carolina.
It prefers open water habitats such as lakes, marshes, and estuaries, where it feeds on aquatic vegetation, seeds, and invertebrates. Named for its canvas-like back feathers, this species is known for its diving prowess, submerging to feed on submerged plants and invertebrates.
During the breeding season, Canvasbacks nest near freshwater marshes and lakeshores, constructing nests from grasses and other vegetation. While they can be found year-round in some parts of North Carolina, Canvasbacks are more commonly observed during the winter months when they migrate south in search of milder temperatures and abundant food sources.
Hooded Merganser
The Hooded Merganser, a striking waterfowl species with its distinctive crest and black-and-white plumage, is a common sight in North Carolina’s wetland habitats.
These ducks are known for their preference for wooded swamps, marshes, and freshwater ponds, where they can find suitable nesting sites and abundant prey. Hooded Mergansers primarily feed on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects, using their serrated bills to catch their prey underwater.
During the breeding season, males display elaborate courtship behaviours, including head bobbing and displaying their crest to attract females. Hooded Mergansers nest in tree cavities, often using abandoned woodpecker holes as nesting sites.
While they are primarily migratory birds, some Hooded Mergansers may overwinter in North Carolina if suitable habitat and food sources are available. Their presence enriches the state’s biodiversity and serves as an indicator of the health of wetland ecosystems.
American Wigeon
The American Wigeon, a common dabbling duck found across North America, including North Carolina, is recognizable by its distinctive plumage and colourful markings. These ducks prefer freshwater habitats such as marshes, ponds, and lakes, where they feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and insects.
American Wigeons are often seen foraging near the water’s edge, dabbling for food with their characteristic upturned bill. During the breeding season, males display vibrant breeding plumage with chestnut-coloured heads and cream-coloured crowns, while females have mottled brown plumage for camouflage.
They are known for their social behaviour and can often be found in large flocks during migration and wintering periods. American Wigeons play an important role in their ecosystems by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds through their feeding habits. Their presence adds to the diversity of bird species in North Carolina’s wetland and aquatic habitats.
Northern Shoveler
The Northern Shoveler, a distinctive duck species found in North Carolina, is easily recognized by its long, broad bill resembling a shovel. These ducks inhabit various wetland habitats, including marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes, where they feed by filtering water through their specialised bills to capture small invertebrates, seeds, and aquatic plants.
Northern Shovelers are known for their unique feeding behaviour, often seen swimming with their bills submerged while they sift through the water for food.
During the breeding season, male Northern Shovelers display striking plumage with iridescent green heads, white chests, and rusty flanks, while females have more subdued brown plumage.
They are migratory birds, travelling to North Carolina and other regions for breeding and wintering. Northern Shovelers play a vital role in wetland ecosystems by controlling insect populations and contributing to seed dispersal. Their presence adds diversity to North Carolina’s birdlife, enriching the state’s natural habitats.
Bufflehead
The Bufflehead, a small and striking duck species, is commonly spotted in North Carolina’s waterways and coastal areas. With their compact size and distinctive black and white plumage, Buffleheads are easily recognizable. These ducks prefer shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes, where they dive to feed on aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and plant matter.
Despite their diminutive size, male Buffleheads exhibit eye-catching iridescent green and purple head plumage during the breeding season, while females have a more subdued appearance with brownish-black heads.
Buffleheads are agile divers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater in search of prey. They are known for their swift and erratic flight patterns, often flying low over the water’s surface.
During migration, Buffleheads travel from their breeding grounds in northern regions to wintering areas along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, including North Carolina. Their presence adds to the diverse array of waterfowl species that inhabit the state’s wetland habitats.
Common Goldeneye
The Common Goldeneye, a medium-sized diving duck species, is frequently seen in North Carolina’s freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Recognizable by their striking appearance, with glossy black and white plumage and bright yellow eyes, Common Goldeneyes are a sight to behold.
These ducks are proficient divers, plunging underwater to hunt for small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. During the breeding season, male Common Goldeneyes display a distinctive black-and-white pattern on their head and a conspicuous white crescent on their face.
Females have a more muted appearance, with brownish plumage and a smaller white patch on the face. Common Goldeneyes are migratory birds, travelling from their breeding grounds in northern regions to wintering areas along the eastern and western coasts of North America, including North Carolina.
Ruddy Duck
The Ruddy Duck is a small, compact diving duck commonly found in North Carolina’s freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes. These ducks are easily recognizable by their distinctive appearance, characterised by a stout body, short neck, and a distinctive tail that is often held upright.
Male Ruddy Ducks sport striking breeding plumage, featuring a chestnut-brown body, bright blue bill, and a striking white cheek patch. During courtship displays, males inflate their blue bills and perform elaborate head-bobbing movements to attract females.
Female Ruddy Ducks have a more subdued appearance, with mottled brown plumage and a less prominent cheek patch. Ruddy Ducks are adept swimmers and divers, using their webbed feet to propel themselves underwater in search of aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates.
These ducks are primarily migratory, travelling between breeding grounds in northern regions and wintering areas in the southern United States, including North Carolina, where they can be observed in large numbers during the winter months.
Eurasian Wigeon
The Eurasian Wigeon is a species of dabbling duck that is native to Eurasia but occasionally visits North America, including regions like North Carolina. These ducks are similar in appearance to their American counterparts, the American Wigeon, but they have distinct differences.
Male Eurasian Wigeons have a reddish-brown head with a creamy-yellow forehead, a pink breast, and a grey body with black markings. In contrast, females have mottled brown plumage. During the breeding season, Eurasian Wigeons inhabit wetlands, marshes, and coastal areas in northern Europe and Asia.
They primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and grasses. During migration, some Eurasian Wigeons may stray into North America, including North Carolina, where they can be spotted in coastal estuaries, lakes, and ponds, particularly during the winter months.
Mottled Duck
The Mottled Duck, also known as the Florida Duck or Mexican Duck, is a medium-sized dabbling duck found primarily in the coastal regions of the southeastern United States, including Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. It closely resembles the female Mallard but lacks the distinctive blue wing patch.
Mottled Ducks have a mottled brown plumage, with a slightly paler head and neck. They prefer freshwater and brackish marshes, swamps, and coastal wetlands for habitat. Unlike many other duck species, Mottled Ducks do not migrate long distances, with some populations being year-round residents in their range.
However, they may undertake short-distance movements in response to changes in water levels or habitat availability. Mottled Ducks primarily feed on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates found in their wetland habitats.
Long-tailed Duck
The Long-tailed Duck, also known as Oldsquaw, is a medium-sized sea duck found in the Northern Hemisphere. It is characterised by its long, slender tail feathers, which give it its name. Long-tailed Ducks have striking plumage with a black and white pattern.
Breeding males display a unique plumage with bold black, white, and grey markings, while females and non-breeding males are more subdued. They breed in the Arctic tundra and coastal areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, nesting on the ground near freshwater lakes and ponds. During the winter, they migrate south to coastal waters and estuaries, where they feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.
Long-tailed Ducks are strong divers and can reach depths of up to 60 metres (200 feet) in search of food. They are known for their distinctive vocalisations, including a series of yodel-like calls.
Black Scoter
The Black Scoter is a species of sea duck commonly found in North America during the winter months. These ducks are easily recognized by their entirely black plumage, contrasting with bright yellow knobs on the male’s bill. Females and juveniles have a brownish-black appearance.
Black Scoters prefer coastal marine habitats, where they feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish by diving underwater. They breed in the tundra regions of northern Canada and Alaska during the summer, nesting near freshwater lakes and ponds. During the winter, they migrate south to more temperate coastal waters, including the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America.
Conservation efforts for Black Scoters focus on protecting their breeding and wintering habitats, as well as monitoring populations to understand any declines. Threats to these birds include habitat loss, pollution, and disturbances in their nesting and feeding areas. By implementing conservation measures, efforts aim to ensure the long-term survival of Black Scoter populations.
Surf Scoter
The Surf Scoter, a species of sea duck, is known for its distinctive appearance and behaviour. These ducks are characterised by their large size, black plumage, and bold white patches on the forehead and nape. They have a unique feeding behaviour, diving underwater to forage for mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.
Surf Scoters are often found in coastal marine habitats along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, where they congregate in large flocks during the winter months. During the breeding season, they migrate to the Arctic tundra of northern Canada and Alaska, nesting near freshwater lakes and ponds.
Conservation efforts for Surf Scoters focus on protecting their breeding and wintering habitats, as well as monitoring populations to address any declines. Threats to these birds include habitat degradation, pollution, and disturbances in their nesting and foraging areas.
White-winged Scoter
The White-winged Scoter is a large sea duck known for its distinctive appearance and behaviour. These birds have black plumage with white patches on their wings, which give them their name. They are commonly found along coastal areas of North America, particularly in the Pacific and Atlantic regions. White-winged Scoters are diving ducks, adept at swimming and foraging underwater for crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
During the breeding season, they migrate to northern areas such as the Arctic tundra to nest in freshwater habitats. Conservation efforts for White-winged Scoters focus on protecting their breeding and wintering grounds, as well as monitoring population trends to address any declines.
Common Eider
The Common Eider is a species of sea duck known for its large size and distinctive appearance. These birds have predominantly black bodies with white patches on their backs and sides. Male Common Eiders are easily recognizable by their striking black and white plumage, while females are more subdued in color, typically brown with mottled patterns.
They are commonly found in coastal areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the North Atlantic region. Common Eiders are known for their strong diving abilities, often feeding on mollusks, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates found in shallow coastal waters. During the breeding season, they nest in colonies on offshore islands or remote coastal areas.
Conservation efforts for Common Eiders focus on protecting their breeding and nesting habitats, as well as addressing threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and disturbances from human activities. By safeguarding their habitats and populations, conservationists aim to ensure the continued survival of Common Eiders for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Final Words
In conclusion, understanding the diverse array of duck species and their habitats enriches our appreciation for the natural world. Ducks play vital roles in ecosystems, from regulating insect populations to dispersing seeds.
By conserving wetlands and coastal areas, we can safeguard the habitats these birds rely on for breeding, feeding, and resting. Additionally, reducing pollution and mitigating human disturbances in these habitats can help protect duck populations.
Whether you’re an avid birder, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys the beauty of wildlife, preserving duck habitats ensures that future generations can continue to marvel at these fascinating creatures. Let’s remember the importance of conservation efforts and strive to coexist harmoniously with ducks and other wildlife, ensuring that they thrive for years to come.