Ducks, Grebes, Geese and Swans

Labrador Duck, Camptorhynchus labradorius

The Labrador Duck is an extinct species of duck that was native to North America. It was last recorded in 1878. Read more

Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos

Mallards nest and raise their young in lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and wetlands in North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.

Northern Pintail, Anas acuta

Northern pintails are dabbling ducks and feed by tipping their heads underwater or upending their bodies to reach food near the water’s surface.

Northern Shoveler, Spatula clypeata

Northern shovelers are characterized by their unique bill shape, which is broad and flattened at the tip, resembling a shovel which allows them to filter small organisms and food particles from the water.

Red-breasted Merganser, Mergus serrator

Red-breasted mergansers are skillful swimmer-hunters with slender bodies and long, narrow serrated bills for capturing small schooling fish species such as smelt, herring, and perch.

Common Mergansers, Mergus merganser

Common mergansers have sleek bodies and strong, webbed feet for swimming and diving. They hunt underwater, using their long, serrated, sharp bills to catch fish and other aquatic prey.

Hooded Mergansers, Lophodytes cucullatus

Hooded mergansers build their nests in tree cavities or use abandoned nests of other birds. They will also nest in artificially made duck boxes.

White-winged Scoter, Melanitta deglandi

White-winged Scoters are sea ducks inhabiting marine and coastal environments in North America. They dive underwater to forage for mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.

Wood Ducks, Aix sponsa

Wood Ducks have sharp claws on their webbed feet, enabling them to perch and climb branches and vegetation to access seeds and fruits.

Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bucephala islandica

Barrow’s Goldeneyes hunt by diving underwater. They are agile divers and can quickly propel themselves underwater using their strong wings and feet to catch prey.

Common Goldeneyes, Bucephala clangula

Common Goldeneyes are diving ducks that feed on aquatic invertebrates and small fish, nest in tree cavities or nest boxes, and raise their young near water.

Long-tailed Ducks, Clangula hyemalis

Long-tailed Ducks are known to plunge dive headfirst into the water, disappearing for prolonged periods before resurfacing.

Ruddy Ducks, Oxyura jamaicensis

Ruddy Ducks construct nests as platforms above the water in dense emergent vegetation, such as cattails and bulrushes.

 Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis

Lesser Scaup females construct their nests from cattails, bulrushes, and sedges on floating mats of vegetation and debris.

 Greater-Scaup, Aythya marila

Greater Scaups dive to considerable depths for extended periods and swim with agility foraging for invertebrates, crustaceans, and small fish.

Ring-necked Ducks, Aythya collaris

Ring-necked Ducks are named for a faint, hard-to-see chestnut-colored ring around their necks, which is more visible on males.

 Harlequin Ducks, Histrionicus histrionicus

Harlequin Ducks are diving ducks with exceptional diving and swimming abilities. They can navigate through turbulent streams and rapids with ease, using their webbed feet and strong wings for stability.

Blue-winged Teals, Spatula discors
Green-winged Teals, Anas carolinensis

Blue and Green-winged Teals are dabbling ducks. They forage by dabbling their heads in the water often in shallow areas, and they graze on land. They primarily feed on plant material.

Cinnamon Teal, Spatula cyanoptera

The Cinnamon Teal male has a striking cinnamon-red head and neck, a bright red eye, a dark chestnut body, and sky-blue fore wings.

Brazilian teals, Amazonetta brasiliensis

Brazilian teals are known for their vocalizations, which include whistles and soft, melodious calls.

Canvasback, Aythya valisineria

Canvasbacks dive to considerable depths to feed, using their long necks and powerful bills to reach and grasp their favorite, wild celery beds.

 Buffleheads, Bucephala albeola

Buffleheads nest in natural tree cavities or abandoned cavities previously bored out by woodpeckers. Sometimes, they use nest boxes provided by humans.

 American Wigeons, Mareca americana

American Wigeons feed on aquatic vegetation, insects, small crustaceans, and mollusks in shallow waters and graze on grains usually in harvested agricultural fields.

 Eurasian Wigeon, Mareca Penelope

Eurasian Wigeons forage for aquatic plants, grasses, seeds, and agricultural crops. They graze on vegetation both on land and in shallow water.

 American Black Duck, Anas rubripes

American Black Ducks are known to hybridize with other closely related species, particularly Mallards, sometimes making species identification difficult.

 American Coot, Fulica americana

American Coots engage territorial disputes, including chasing and pecking at intruders, to defend their nesting areas and food resources.

Gadwalls, Mareca strepera

Gadwalls build well-camouflaged nests of leaves, grass, and down feathers on the ground in shallow depressions in dense vegetation near water.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks have a whistling call, often heard when they are in flight, which gives them their common name.

Fulvous Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna bicolor

Fulvous whistling ducks are known for their social behavior, often forming large flocks. They are strong fliers and may travel long distances in search of suitable habitats and food resources.

Horned Grebes, Podiceps auritus

Horned Grebes construct their nests partially submerged in shallow water or floating on vegetation, providing protection from land-based predators.

Red-necked Grebes, Podiceps grisegena

Red-necked Grebes are elegant divers. They silently disappear underwater and smoothly resurface at a distance from where they dived.

 Redheads, Aythya americana

Redheads often dive and forage in large groups, known as rafts, They dive in unison and may cooperate to locate food sources.