19 Ducks with White Heads

White-headed ducks are a sight to behold, for lack of a better word. They are not only unique but also so eye-catching that it’s easy to spot them from miles away. Plus, there is always something undeniably elegant and pure about a duck with a pristine white head!

Interestingly, you won’t find many wild ducks with this look. While pure white heads are fairly common in domestic breeds, only a handful of wild species boast this striking, snowy plumage.

To celebrate these stunning ducks, we’ve put together a list of the most common species with white heads. As mentioned earlier, only a few ducks have fully white heads — most display combinations of white with black or other colors. We’ve already explored ducks with black-and-white heads here, so you can check that out.

Today, however, our focus is on ducks with predominantly white heads. We’ll also highlight domestic ducks with this elegant plumage, because it’s worth appreciating them too —not all domestic ducks are blessed with such striking white crowns.

Wild Duck Species With White Heads

1. Paradise Shelduck

The female Paradise Shelduck is easy to spot thanks to her bright white head and upper neck, which stand out against her rich chestnut and black body. These noisy, colorful ducks can almost look like small geese, especially when walking on open grass or sports fields — a place they have happily moved into in recent years. Both males and females show a striking pattern on their wings, with shiny green secondary feathers and bold white upper wings.

2. Radjah Shelduck

Radjah Shelducks are mostly white, with the males and females sporting dark wing tips and a neat collar of darker feathers around the neck. Their bright white heads make them easy to recognize, even from a distance. These ducks are often seen in pairs or small groups and are known for forming strong, long-term bonds. Be careful during the rainy season, though — the males can get quite grumpy and may even chase their mates!

3. White-headed Duck

As the name suggests, the White-headed Duck lives up to its title with a clean, white head that contrasts beautifully with its reddish-grey body and blue bill. Males also have a black crown on top of their head, while females are a bit duller in color and have a dark bill. You’ll usually find them in lakes with open water and plenty of plants at the edges, where they hide and feed. This duck is quite rare and has a fragmented range, so spotting one feels like a special moment for any birdwatcher.

4. Smew

The male Smew is impossible to miss, with a striking black-and-white “panda” or “cracked ice” look that makes it look almost like a tiny tuxedo in flight. Females and young males are more subtle, with soft grey bodies, a chestnut-colored forehead, and white cheeks, earning them the nickname “redhead” Smew. These ducks love the edges of lakes, often hiding under small trees while feeding. If you’re lucky enough to watch them during breeding season in May, you might see a female carefully incubating 7–11 cream-colored eggs for nearly a month.

5. Steller’s Eider

Steller’s Eiders are small but showy Arctic ducks, with males flaunting a white head and shoulders that really stand out against their black cap, chin, and eye-ring. Look closely and you’ll see soft green patches behind the head and in front of the eye, plus cinnamon-colored markings on the breast. They breed along Russia’s and Alaska’s coastlines and migrate long distances, making them one of the rarest and fastest-flying eiders.

6. White-faced Whistling Duck

True to its name, the White-faced Whistling Duck has a striking white face set against a black head and neck, making it easy to identify. Its long grey bill and tall, elegant stance add to its distinctive look. These ducks are social and often nest in simple depressions on the ground or among reeds, with both parents taking turns incubating 6–12 eggs. Their soft whistling calls are a delight to hear, especially when they gather in flocks on calm waters.

7. White-winged Duck

The White-winged Duck is one of the largest ducks you can see in the wild, second only to some of the giant steamer ducks. Its most striking feature is the contrast between a dark body and a whitish head and neck, which makes it easy to spot. Males have a pale yellowish bill and subtle black markings on the head, plus beautiful white patches on the wings that flash in flight. These rare ducks prefer forested wetlands, making sightings extra special for anyone lucky enough to find one.

8. Bufflehead

Buffleheads are tiny but eye-catching ducks, especially the males with their glossy green-and-purple heads and a big white patch behind the eye. Females are softer in color, mostly grey with a smaller white patch, but still charming in their own way. These sea ducks often dive for food, feeding on small aquatic creatures, and their small size makes them quick and nimble flyers over lakes and rivers.

9. Hooded Merganser

The male Hooded Merganser is a showstopper with a black head, chestnut flanks, and bold white patches on either side of its crest, which it can raise like a fan during courtship. Its white breast and underside have elegant stripes, and the crest makes it easy to identify from a distance. These ducks prefer freshwater lakes and ponds with plenty of cover and are expert divers, hunting fish and insects beneath the water’s surface.

Domestic Duck Breeds With White Heads

Unlike their wild relatives, many domestic ducks have white heads, and you can even find this feature in breeds not listed here. There are also hybrid ducks that may sport white heads. To keep things simple, we’ve focused on the breeds you are most likely to encounter with this elegant plumage.