Scientific name: Bucephala islandicaAlternative names: Barrow Duck, House Duck (Icelandic: húsönd) Measurements Feature Male Female Length 49 cm (19.2 in) 43 cm (17 in) Weight 970 g (2.13 lb) 590 g (1.31 lb) Wingspan 70–73 cm (27.6–28.7 in) 70–73 cm (27.6–28.7 in) Status Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. While its range is limited,…
Scientific name: Bucephala clangula Alternative names: Goldeneye, Common Golden-eye Duck Measurements Feature Male Female Length 45–51 cm (18–20 in) 40–50 cm (16–20 in) Weight ~1,000 g (2.2 lb) ~800 g (1.8 lb) Wingspan 77–83 cm (30.5–32.5 in) 77–83 cm (30.5–32.5 in) Status Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Common Goldeneye is a widespread…
Scientific Name: Cairina moschata Alternative Names: Barbary Duck, Pato Criollo, Musk Duck Measurements: Feature Male Female Length 76–84 cm (30–33 in) 71–76 cm (28–30 in) Weight Up to 4 kg (8.8 lb) About half that weight Wingspan 137–152 cm (54–60 in) 137–152 cm (54–60 in) Status A native of Central and South America, the Muscovy…
Recently, a friend asked me to help her identify a black duck with red eyes. At first, it sounded like a simple question — but it’s actually trickier than it seems! With more than 50 types of ducks found around the world, only a handful stand out with this rare and striking combination of dark…
Bill color is one of the most useful features birders rely on when identifying birds, including ducks. A red bill, in particular, draws a lot of attention, giving birds that have it a bold appearance that makes them stand out and unforgettable. Ducks with red beaks, for instance, always seem to stand out in the…
Ducks tend to be more unique than we give them credit for, especially if we don’t take the time to really look at them. One cool feature I’ve come to notice over the years of watching and learning about ducks is how some of them wear what looks like a perfect white necklace — a…
There’s something almost mesmerizing about a duck with red eyes. Whether they glow like tiny rubies in the sunlight or flash briefly across the water’s surface, these vivid eyes have a way of catching your attention. Far from being strange or spooky, red eyes are a natural and fascinating trait found in several duck species…
Have you ever noticed how some ducks with yellow eyes seem to stare right through you? Those golden eyes give ducks sharp, watchful looks that are hard to miss, especially when light hit them just right. Eye color in ducks can vary from dark brown to pale yellow, and in some species, that yellow glow…
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether a Pekin is a type of duck or a species of its own, you’re not alone. The world of ducks is full of fascinating variety — from wild waterfowl gliding across lakes to domesticated ducks waddling on farms. But when it comes to understanding species and breeds, the…