Across lakes, rivers, and marshes around the world, ducks show off an incredible palette of colors — from glossy greens and deep blues to soft grays. Among these, ducks with brown heads have a subtle charm that’s easy to miss at first but impossible to forget once spotted. Their warm, earthy tones blend beautifully with…
Last week, a friend asked me to help her identify a duck with an orange head. I’ll admit, that one made me pause for a moment — ducks with truly orange heads aren’t very common. If she’d asked about brown-headed ducks, I could have listed several off the top of my head (I even have…
Scientific name Anas rubripes Common name American Black Duck Measurements Feature Average Length 54–59 cm (21–23 in) Wingspan 88–95 cm (35–37 in) Weight 720–1,640 g (1.6–3.6 lb) Status The American black duck is a large, dark-plumaged dabbling duck native to eastern North America. It remains one of the most iconic waterfowl species in the region,…
Scientific name Melanitta fusca Common name Velvet Scoter Measurements Feature Average Length 51–56 cm (20–22 in) Wingspan 90–99 cm (35–39 in) Weight 1.1–2.0 kg (2.4–4.4 lb) Status The velvet scoter is a large, dark sea duck of northern Europe and western Asia. Once common across its range, its population has declined significantly, especially in the…
Scientific name Melanitta deglandi Common name White-winged Scoter Measurements Feature Average Length 48–60 cm (19–24 in) Wingspan 80 cm (31.5 in) Weight 950–2,128 g (2.1–4.7 lb) Status The white-winged scoter is the largest North American scoter and one of the most widespread sea ducks on the continent. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, though…
Scientific name Melanitta perspicillata Common name Surf Scoter Measurements Feature Average Length 44–48 cm (17–19 in) Wingspan 76–77 cm (30 in) Weight 900–1,050 g (2.0–2.3 lb) Status The surf scoter is a large, migratory sea duck native to North America. Though its population has declined by an estimated 50–70% over the past four decades, it…
Scientific name Somateria mollissima Common name Common Eider (also called St. Cuthbert’s Duck or Cuddy’s Duck) Measurements Feature Average Length 50–71 cm (20–28 in) Wingspan 80–110 cm (31–43 in) Weight 0.81–3.04 kg (1 lb 12 oz – 6 lb 11 oz) Status The common eider is a large sea duck found along the northern coasts…
Scientific name Oxyura jamaicensis Common name Ruddy Duck Measurements Feature Average Length 34–43 cm (13.5–17 in) Wingspan 47 cm (18.5 in) Weight 560 g (1.23 lb) Status The ruddy duck is a compact, stiff-tailed diving duck native to North and South America. It has also established populations in Europe after being introduced to the United…
Scientific name Bucephala albeola Common name Bufflehead Measurements Feature Average Length 32–40 cm (13–16 in) Wingspan 55 cm (21.6 in) Weight 270–550 g (9.5–19.4 oz) Status The bufflehead is a small, active sea duck found across North America. It breeds in Alaska and Canada and spends the winter in coastal waters and large lakes farther…
Scientific name Sarkidiornis melanotos Common name Knob-billed Duck or African Comb Duck Measurements Feature Average Length 56–76 cm (22–30 in) Wingspan 116–145 cm (46–57 in) Weight 1.03–2.9 kg (2.3–6.4 lb) Status The knob-billed duck is a large, distinctive waterfowl found across Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and parts of South and Southeast Asia. It inhabits tropical and…