Scientific name: Aythya americana Alternative names: Red-headed duck, Red-headed pochard Measurements Feature Range Length 40–56 cm (16–22 in) Weight 1,030–1,080 g (36–38 oz) Wingspan 74–84 cm (29–33 in) Status The redhead’s population is healthy and stable, with an estimated 1.4 million birds in North America. It accounts for about 2% of the continent’s duck population….
Scientific name: Aythya collaris Alternative names: Ringbill, Ring-necked pochard Measurements Feature Range Length 39–46 cm (15.3–18.1 in) Weight 490–910 g (17.3–32.1 oz) Wingspan 62–63 cm (24.4–24.8 in) Status The ring-necked duck’s population is stable and has even expanded in parts of its range since the early 20th century. It is now a common breeding bird…
Scientific name: Aythya fuligula Alternative names: Tufted Pochard Measurements: Feature Male Female Length 40.6–45.7 cm (16–18 in) 40.6–45.7 cm (16–18 in) Weight 753–1026 g (1.6–2.3 lb) 629–907 g (1.4–2.0 lb) Wingspan 51–54 cm (20–21 in) 49–53 cm (19–21 in) Status Listed as Least Concern under the IUCN. With a population nearing one million, the Tufted…
Scientific name: Aythya novaeseelandiae Alternative names: New Zealand Scaup, Black Teal, Pāpango (Māori) Measurements: Feature Male Female Length ~40 cm (16 in) ~40 cm (16 in) Weight ~695 g (24.5 oz) ~610 g (22 oz) Wingspan ~70 cm (28 in) ~70 cm (28 in) Diving Depth 3 m (9.8 ft) or more 3 m (9.8…
Scientific Name: Aythya affinis Alternative Names: Lesser Scaup, Little Bluebill, Broadbill Measurements: Feature Male Female Length 38–48 cm (15–19 in) 38–48 cm (15–19 in) Average Weight 820 g (1.81 lb) 730 g (1.61 lb) Wingspan 68–78 cm (27–31 in) 68–78 cm (27–31 in) Wing Length 19–20 cm (7.5–7.9 in) 19–20 cm (7.3–7.8 in) Bill Length…
Scientific Name Aythya marila Alternative Names Scaup, Bluebill (North America) Measurements Length: 39–56 cm (15–22 in)Wingspan: 71–84 cm (28–33 in)Weight: 726–1,360 g (1.6–3.0 lb) Status Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though populations have been declining since the 1980s due to habitat loss, pollution, and reduced female survival rates. Identification A medium-sized diving duck…
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…