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A large duck, nearly identical to Mallard in size and shape but with a much darker chocolate-colored body. Bill is yellow with a slight greenish tinge on males, dull grayish-green on females. Note blue wing patch lacks any white borders. Fairly common in northeastern North America, especially along the coast. Large flocks can gather in the winter in saltmarshes and estuaries, but also occurs in smaller numbers on ponds and lakes, often mixed with other duck species. Frequently hybridizes with Mallard. Hybrids usually look darker than typical Mallards and may have an intermediate head pattern; also look for white in the tail or curled feathers above the tail to indicate Mallard genes.

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Small, compact duck with a long, fan-shaped tail, often held sticking up out of water. Breeding males have a chestnut body, black cap, white cheek, and baby-blue bill. Winter males have a brown body, black cap and white cheek. Females and immature males are brown overall with a dark cap and dark line through the cheek. Often in tight groups bobbing like corks on ponds and bays. Dives to forage on aquatic invertebrates. Not often seen flying.

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Long-bodied duck with a thin bill and shaggy crest. Breeding males have a dark green head, brown breast, and gray sides. Females and immature males have a brown head and gray body. Bill is dull red. Separated from Common Merganser by thinner bill, shaggier crest, and slimmer shape overall. Dives to catch fish on large bodies of water, including freshwater lakes and coastal regions. Favors saltwater more than Common Merganser.

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Peak-headed diving duck. Males have black breast, finely-barred gray back, whitish sides (often slightly dusty-looking), and yellow eye. Head appears black with a purplish or greenish sheen in good light. Females are brown overall with white patch at base of bill and yellow eye. Very similar to Greater Scaup; note Lesser’s peaked head shape with angle near the rear of crown, slimmer cheeks, less extensive white stripe on wing in flight, and smaller, narrower bill. Also similar to Ring-necked Duck, but Lesser Scaup has grayer back and whiter sides. Usually in flocks or pairs on a variety of wetland habitats, from small ponds to large lakes and bays. Slightly more likely to be seen on smaller bodies of water, especially fresh water, than Greater Scaup, but much overlap. Frequently in mixed flocks with other Aythya ducks. Widespread across North America, with more southerly range extent than Greater Scaup, regularly reaching northern South America.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

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Small, compact diving duck with large head and small gray bill. Breeding males are black and white with large white patch on back of head. Females and immature males are gray-brown with white patch on cheek. Much smaller than Common Goldeneye with which it often associates. Found in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes in winter. Travels to boreal forest and nests in cavities in summer.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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Round-headed diving duck. Males have black breast, medium gray back, white sides, and yellow eye. Head appears black with a greenish sheen in good lighting, never purplish. Females are brown overall, grayer on body in winter, with white patch at base of bill and yellow eye. Very similar to Lesser Scaup; note smoothly rounded head without tall peak, puffier cheeks, more extensive white stripe on wing in flight, and larger, broader bill. Can be similar to immature male and female Tufted Duck, but note smoothly rounded head and more extensive white bill base patch in females. Often in flocks with other Aythya ducks. Tends to prefer saltwater bays and coves, but also found in freshwater.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Large duck; about the size of a Mallard. Breeding males have a black head with circular white patch at the base of the bill, black back and white body. Females and first-year males have gray body and chocolate brown head. Bright yellow eyes. Found along both coasts of the U.S. and Canada and the Great Lakes in winter months, feeding on mussels and other aquatic invertebrates.

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Attractive duck with distinctive triangular head; forehead slopes seamlessly into the long bill. Males are white-bodied with black chest, reddish-brown head, and red eye. Females are dull grayish-brown with unique head profile and dark brown eye. Breeds in lakes and marshes. Winters in any large body of water with submerged aquatic vegetation on which to feed. Dives frequently, searching for vegetation and invertebrates. Often gathers in large flocks in nonbreeding season.

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Attractive duck with distinctive triangular head; forehead slopes seamlessly into the long bill. Males are white-bodied with black chest, reddish-brown head, and red eye. Females are dull grayish-brown with unique head profile and dark brown eye. Breeds in lakes and marshes. Winters in any large body of water with submerged aquatic vegetation on which to feed. Dives frequently, searching for vegetation and invertebrates. Often gathers in large flocks in nonbreeding season.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Longer-tailed than Mallard with thinner, pale blue bill. Breeding males have prominent white blaze on forehead and broad green slash behind eye. Look for orangey sides on females. As comfortable grazing on land as dabbling in water. Often steals food from diving ducks as they surface.

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Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

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Same size as Mallard but with a thinner bill. Males appear gray overall with a small white patch on wing; larger, puffier head than Mallard. Females similar to Mallard; note thinner bill, white wing patch (sometimes visible) and orange line along the edge of the bill. Dabble on the surface of the water and up-end to reach aquatic vegetation.

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Elegant, slender duck with long neck and tail. Males have a chocolate brown head with a white slash coming up the neck, white breast, and mostly gray body. Females are patterned light brown. Forages in wetlands and in fields on agricultural waste grains.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

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Large duck with a sleek body and thin red bill. Breeding males have a dark green head and mostly white body with peachy blush on underparts. Females and immature males have rusty brown head and gray bodies with a cleanly demarcated white throat. Feeds in rivers, lakes, and large ponds by diving to catch fish. Hardy in winter, often staying as far north as open water permits.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Small, compact duck with a long, fan-shaped tail, often held sticking up out of water. Breeding males have a chestnut body, black cap, white cheek, and baby-blue bill. Winter males have a brown body, black cap and white cheek. Females and immature males are brown overall with a dark cap and dark line through the cheek. Often in tight groups bobbing like corks on ponds and bays. Dives to forage on aquatic invertebrates. Not often seen flying.

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The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing. Breeding males have a white crescent in front of eye. Females are patterned, cold brown, and show a hint of the male's white crescent on face. Black bill. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up in shallow wetlands.

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Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing. Males are rich reddish-brown overall. Females are warm brown. Black bill. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up in swallow wetlands. Females have plainer face than very similar Blue-winged Teal.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Large duck; about the size of a Mallard. Breeding males have a black head with circular white patch at the base of the bill, black back and white body. Females and first-year males have gray body and chocolate brown head. Bright yellow eyes. Found along both coasts of the U.S. and Canada and the Great Lakes in winter months, feeding on mussels and other aquatic invertebrates.

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Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing. Breeding males have a white crescent in front of eye. Females are patterned, cold brown, and show a hint of the male's white crescent on face. Black bill. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up in shallow wetlands.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Small, compact duck with a long, fan-shaped tail, often held sticking up out of water. Breeding males have a chestnut body, black cap, white cheek, and baby-blue bill. Winter males have a brown body, black cap and white cheek. Females and immature males are brown overall with a dark cap and dark line through the cheek. Often in tight groups bobbing like corks on ponds and bays. Dives to forage on aquatic invertebrates. Not often seen flying.

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Medium-sized duck, dives for invertebrates. Often in flocks and pairs on variety of water bodies. Head shape is best way to separate from nearly identical Greater Scaup; note peak near rear of crown. Also similar to Ring-necked Duck but grayer back and whiter flanks. Breeding males have dark head with green or purple sheen and bright white sides with some faint barring. Females are darker brown than Ring-necked Duck.

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Large duck with a sleek body and thin red bill. Breeding males have a dark green head and mostly white body with peachy blush on underparts. Females and immature males have rusty brown head and gray bodies with a cleanly demarcated white throat. Feeds in rivers, lakes, and large ponds by diving to catch fish. Hardy in winter, often staying as far north as open water permits.

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Large duck with a sleek body and thin red bill. Breeding males have a dark green head and mostly white body with peachy blush on underparts. Females and immature males have rusty brown head and gray bodies with a cleanly demarcated white throat. Feeds in rivers, lakes, and large ponds by diving to catch fish. Hardy in winter, often staying as far north as open water permits.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Attractive duck with distinctive triangular head; forehead slopes seamlessly into the long bill. Males are white-bodied with black chest, reddish-brown head, and red eye. Females are dull grayish-brown with unique head profile and dark brown eye. Breeds in lakes and marshes. Winters in any large body of water with submerged aquatic vegetation on which to feed. Dives frequently, searching for vegetation and invertebrates. Often gathers in large flocks in nonbreeding season.

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Same size as Mallard but with a thinner bill. Males appear gray overall with a small white patch on wing; larger, puffier head than Mallard. Females similar to Mallard; note thinner bill, white wing patch (sometimes visible) and orange line along the edge of the bill. Dabble on the surface of the water and up-end to reach aquatic vegetation.

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The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

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The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

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Small, compact diving duck with large head and small gray bill. Breeding males are black and white with large white patch on back of head. Females and immature males are gray-brown with white patch on cheek. Much smaller than Common Goldeneye with which it often associates. Found in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes in winter. Travels to boreal forest and nests in cavities in summer.

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Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

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Longer-tailed than Mallard with thinner, pale blue bill. Breeding males have prominent white blaze on forehead and broad green slash behind eye. Look for orangey sides on females. As comfortable grazing on land as dabbling in water. Often steals food from diving ducks as they surface.

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Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Small, compact duck with a long, fan-shaped tail, often held sticking up out of water. Breeding males have a chestnut body, black cap, white cheek, and baby-blue bill. Winter males have a brown body, black cap and white cheek. Females and immature males are brown overall with a dark cap and dark line through the cheek. Often in tight groups bobbing like corks on ponds and bays. Dives to forage on aquatic invertebrates. Not often seen flying.

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Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing. Breeding males have a white crescent in front of eye. Females are patterned, cold brown, and show a hint of the male's white crescent on face. Black bill. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up in shallow wetlands. 

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Same size as Mallard but with a thinner bill. Males appear gray overall with a small white patch on wing; larger, puffier head than Mallard. Females similar to Mallard; note thinner bill, white wing patch (sometimes visible) and orange line along the edge of the bill. Dabble on the surface of the water and up-end to reach aquatic vegetation.

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Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

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Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

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Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing. Males are rich reddish-brown overall. Females are warm brown. Black bill. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up in swallow wetlands. Females have plainer face than very similar Blue-winged Teal.

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Small duck with chalky-blue patches on the upperwing. Males are rich reddish-brown overall. Females are warm brown. Black bill. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up in swallow wetlands. Females have plainer face than very similar Blue-winged Teal.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean. 

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Diving duck that favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back; clean gray sides. Females are gray-brown, often with a pale area behind the bill and white eyering. Both sexes have a white band across the top of pale blue bill.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean. 

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Longer-tailed than Mallard with thinner, pale blue bill. Breeding males have prominent white blaze on forehead and broad green slash behind eye. Look for orangey sides on females. As comfortable grazing on land as dabbling in water. Often steals food from diving ducks as they surface.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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Long-bodied duck with a thin bill and shaggy crest. Breeding males have a dark green head, brown breast, and gray sides. Females and immature males have a brown head and gray body. Bill is dull red. Separated from Common Merganser by thinner bill, shaggier crest, and slimmer shape overall. Dives to catch fish on large bodies of water, including freshwater lakes and coastal regions. Favors saltwater more than Common Merganser.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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Small, compact diving duck with large head and small gray bill. Breeding males are black and white with large white patch on back of head. Females and immature males are gray-brown with white patch on cheek. Much smaller than Common Goldeneye with which it often associates. Found in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes in winter. Travels to boreal forest and nests in cavities in summer.

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Diving duck that favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back; clean gray sides. Females are gray-brown, often with a pale area behind the bill and white eyering. Both sexes have a white band across the top of pale blue bill.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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Small duck; feeds by diving to catch mainly fish with thin, serrated bill. Breeding males have showy black and white crest, a couple zebra stripes on their white breast, and chestnut sides. Females and immature males are brown overall with a puffy crest and a thin orange stripe along the bottom of the bill. Nests in cavities. Usually found on calm bodies of water including ponds, rivers, and lakes; rarely on ocean.

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Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

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Longer-tailed than Mallard with thinner, pale blue bill. Breeding males have prominent white blaze on forehead and broad green slash behind eye. Look for orangey sides on females. As comfortable grazing on land as dabbling in water. Often steals food from diving ducks as they surface.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle

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Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Tiny duck with a petite, thin bill. Males have a brown head with a wide green swatch behind the eye, creamy speckled breast, and mostly gray body. Females are brown, darker overall than other dabbling ducks. Forages by dabbling and tipping-up to reach submerged aquatic vegetation. Also, regularly walks around mudflats to feed.

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Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

The quintessential duck within its range, found anywhere with water, including city parks, backyard creeks, and various wetland habitats. Males have a green head, chestnut breast, and gray body. Females are mottled brown with orange and black splotches on the bill. White wingbars on the front and trailing sides of the blue wing patch are bolder compared to those on American Black Duck and Mottled Duck.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D

Same size as Mallard but with a thinner bill. Males appear gray overall with a small white patch on wing; larger, puffier head than Mallard. Females similar to Mallard; note thinner bill, white wing patch (sometimes visible) and orange line along the edge of the bill. Dabble on the surface of the water and up-end to reach aquatic vegetation.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Small, compact diving duck with large head and small gray bill. Breeding males are black and white with large white patch on back of head. Females and immature males are gray-brown with white patch on cheek. Much smaller than Common Goldeneye with which it often associates. Found in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes in winter. Travels to boreal forest and nests in cavities in summer.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Small, compact diving duck with large head and small gray bill. Breeding males are black and white with large white patch on back of head. Females and immature males are gray-brown with white patch on cheek. Much smaller than Common Goldeneye with which it often associates. Found in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes in winter. Travels to boreal forest and nests in cavities in summer.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Diving duck that favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back; clean gray sides. Females are gray-brown, often with a pale area behind the bill and white eyering. Both sexes have a white band across the top of pale blue bill.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Large duck; about the size of a Mallard. Breeding males have a black head with circular white patch at the base of the bill, black back and white body. Females and first-year males have gray body and chocolate brown head. Bright yellow eyes. Found along both coasts of the U.S. and Canada and the Great Lakes in winter months, feeding on mussels and other aquatic invertebrates. 

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Large duck; about the size of a Mallard. Breeding males have a black head with circular white patch at the base of the bill, black back and white body. Females and first-year males have gray body and chocolate brown head. Bright yellow eyes. Found along both coasts of the U.S. and Canada and the Great Lakes in winter months, feeding on mussels and other aquatic invertebrates. 

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Diving duck that favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back; clean gray sides. Females are gray-brown, often with a pale area behind the bill and white eyering. Both sexes have a white band across the top of pale blue bill.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Diving duck that favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back; clean gray sides. Females are gray-brown, often with a pale area behind the bill and white eyering. Both sexes have a white band across the top of pale blue bill.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Large duck; about the size of a Mallard. Breeding males have a black head with circular white patch at the base of the bill, black back and white body. Females and first-year males have gray body and chocolate brown head. Bright yellow eyes. Found along both coasts of the U.S. and Canada and the Great Lakes in winter months, feeding on mussels and other aquatic invertebrates. 

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Diving duck that favors small bodies of water, such as beaver ponds and cattail marshes. Males are handsome with glossy black head and back; clean gray sides. Females are gray-brown, often with a pale area behind the bill and white eyering. Both sexes have a white band across the top of pale blue bill.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Breeding males are stunning with ornate, colorful patterns visible up close; appears dark overall at a distance. Females gray-brown with thin white eyering. Crest on head. Found in wetlands and flooded woods. Flies through trees with exceptional maneuverability, thanks to its long tail. Often shy and quick to flush. Call is a loud, screeching whistle.

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Longer-tailed than Mallard with thinner, pale blue bill. Breeding males have prominent white blaze on forehead and broad green slash behind eye. Look for orangey sides on females. As comfortable grazing on land as dabbling in water. Often st

Information provided by Merlin Bird I.D.

Medium-sized duck; smaller than a Mallard. Huge, spoon-shaped bill visible at a distance and in flight. Breeding males have dark green head, white breast, and chestnut sides and belly. Females buffy-brown with large, distinctive bill. Chalky-blue upperwing. Forages by sifting through the water, often swimming in spirals in groups.