Scientific Name Spatula querquedula Alternative Names Summer Teal, European Teal Measurements Feature Male Female Length About 41 cm (16 in) About 41 cm (16 in) Wingspan 58–69 cm (23–27 in) 58–69 cm (23–27 in) Weight 300–440 g (10.5–15.5 oz) 300–440 g (10.5–15.5 oz) Status The Garganey is a small migratory dabbling duck that breeds across…
Ducks with white stripes on their heads are among the most striking and easy to recognize on the water. These bold head markings come in many forms — from thin eye lines to wide crescents and sweeping neck stripes — giving each species its own unique look. For some ducks, these white stripes help attract…
Scientific Name Mergellus albellus Alternative Names White Nun, Panda Duck, Redhead Smew (female) Measurements Feature Male Female Length 38–44 cm (15–17 in) 38–44 cm (15–17 in) Weight 450–650 g (16–23 oz) 450–650 g (16–23 oz) Wingspan 56–69 cm (22–27 in) 56–69 cm (22–27 in) Status A small diving duck found across northern Europe and Asia,…
Scientific Name Dendrocygna bicolor Alternative Names Fulvous Tree Duck, Brown Tree Duck, Large Whistling Teal, Mexican Duck Measurements Feature Male Female Length 45–53 cm (18–21 in) 45–53 cm (18–21 in) Weight 748–1,050 g (26–37 oz) 712–1,000 g (25–35 oz) Wingspan 85–93 cm (33–37 in) 85–93 cm (33–37 in) Status A widespread tropical duck found across…
Scientific Name Aythya nyroca Alternative Names Ferruginous Pochard, Common White-eye, White-eyed Pochard Measurements Feature Male Female Length About 38–42 cm (15–17 in) About 38–42 cm (15–17 in) Weight Around 600–800 g (1.3–1.8 lb) Around 600–800 g (1.3–1.8 lb) Wingspan 60–67 cm (24–26 in) 60–67 cm (24–26 in) Status A medium-sized diving duck found across Europe,…
Scientific Name Mareca penelope Alternative Names Eurasian Wigeon, European Wigeon, Widgeon Measurements Feature Male Female Length 42–52 cm (17–20 in) 42–52 cm (17–20 in) Weight 500–1,073 g (1–2 lb) 500–1,073 g (1–2 lb) Wingspan 71–80 cm (28–31 in) 71–80 cm (28–31 in) Status A common and widespread dabbling duck across Europe and Asia. Classified as…
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…