Ducks are a diverse and fascinating group of waterfowl birds found all over the world. There are over 120 different duck species, ranging from the tiny bufflehead to the massive trumpeter swan. Some ducks are dabbling ducks that feed at the surface of water, while others are diving ducks that plunge underwater to catch prey. Their plumage ranges from plain to elaborately colorful, and their behaviors and habitat preferences are equally varied. Getting to know duck species can be an enjoyable endeavor for any bird enthusiast or waterfowl hunter. Here is an extensive guide covering all the duck species in the world in alphabetical order:
A
African Black Duck
The African black duck (Anas sparsa) is a dabbling duck found in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. The male has mostly black plumage with a pale grey belly, while females are mottled brown. These secretive ducks inhabit well-vegetated wetlands and feed mainly at night.
African Pygmy Goose
The diminutive African pygmy goose (Nettapus auritus) is Africa’s smallest waterfowl species. They grow to just 20–24 cm and weigh 90–140 g. These tiny ducks have green upperparts, a chestnut breast, and a white face with a dark eye stripe. They flap their wings rapidly in flight. African pygmy geese live in wetlands across Sub-Saharan Africa.
American Wigeon
The American wigeon (Mareca americana) is a common dabbling duck species of North America. The male has a white crown, green eye patch, chestnut head, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. This duck makes a three-note whee-ooo whistle. American wigeons breed across Canada and the northern U.S. and migrate south for winter.
Baer’s Pochard
Baer’s pochard (Aythya baeri) is an elegant diving duck from eastern Asia. The male has a dark reddish-brown head, grey back, long black bill, and white flanks. Females are dull grey-brown. These ducks breed in Russia and China and winter in southern Asia. Populations have declined drastically in recent decades.
Bar-Headed Goose
The bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) undertakes one of the most incredible migrations in the bird world, flying over the Himalayas twice a year between central Asia and India. They have high altitude adaptations like greater lung capacity and hemoglobin levels compared to other geese. Bar-headed geese have pale grey plumage with a black head and neck lined with white.
Barnacle Goose
The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) is a medium-sized goose with black upperparts, a white face, and grey belly. Barnacle geese breed in the Arctic and winter along the North Sea. They were once thought to hatch from barnacles because the geese seemed to appear from nowhere! Their distinctive call sounds like barking.
Bean Goose
Bean geese (Anser fabalis) are stocky, long-necked geese that breed in tundra wetlands across northern Europe and Asia. They have dark brown plumage and an orange bill with a black bean-shaped marking. Two subspecies are recognized: taiga bean geese and tundra bean geese. Bean geese winter in northern latitudes.
Black Duck
The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is North America’s best-known native duck species. Males are dark brown with a green head, while females are mottled brown. This dabbling duck is found year-round in eastern wetlands and marshes. Black duck numbers have declined due to habitat loss and competition/hybridization with mallards.
Black Scoter
The black scoter (Melanitta americana) is a large sea duck that breeds in the northern forests of North America and winters along both coasts. Adult males are all black with a swollen orange bill and yellow protuberances. Females are dark brown. Black scoters can dive to 60 m when foraging.
Black Swan
Black swans (Cygnus atratus) are mainly black with striking red bills and white wingtips. They are Australia’s largest waterfowl, measuring over 1 m long with a 2 m wingspan. Beyond their native Australia, introduced black swan populations occur in New Zealand and elsewhere. Black swans are known for their iconic bubbly nests.
Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck
The black-bellied whistling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is a long-legged whistling-duck with a long neck and black belly. Their plumage is mostly grey with a chestnut breast and head. As the name suggests, these ducks make a clear whistling call. They inhabit wetlands across the Americas and Caribbean.
Black-Headed Duck
The black-headed duck (Heteronetta atricapilla) of South America is an unusual stiff-tailed duck. Males have a black head and back with a white spotted body. Females have mottled brown and black plumage. They inhabit lakes, marshes, and wet meadows from Peru to Argentina. Their numbers are declining.
Blue Duck
New Zealand’s blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) is a stunning riverine duck with slate blue plumage and a dark head. They inhabit fast-flowing upland streams where they dive and forage for aquatic insects. Blue ducks are strong swimmers that can stay underwater for over a minute while walking along the riverbed.
Blue-Billed Duck
The male blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) of Australia is unmistakable with its bright blue bill and rusty plumage. Females are grey-brown with white eye rings. Blue-billed ducks inhabit well-vegetated wetlands across southeastern and southwestern Australia. They are considered near threatened.
Blue-Winged Teal
The blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) is a small dabbling duck named for the sky-blue wing patches on the male. Females are mottled brown. Blue-winged teals breed across the prairies and marshes of central North America and migrate south for winter. Their high-pitched calls give them the nickname “teal squeal.”
Brant Goose
The brant goose or brent goose (Branta bernicla) is a small coastal goose with black head, neck, and breast contrasting with pale grey sides. Three subspecies occur across the northern regions of Eurasia and North America. Brant geese breed in the Arctic and winter along temperate coastlines where they feed on eelgrass.
Brazilian Teal
The Brazilian teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis) is South America’s smallest duck and one of the smallest dabbling ducks in the world. Males have a green head with a yellow forehead spot and a rufous breast. Females are mottled brown. This tiny duck is found in wetlands across much of South America.
Brown Pintail
The brown pintail (Anas georgica) is a mid-sized dabbling duck named for the male’s chocolate-brown plumage and pointed tail. Females are mottled brown with white vertical barring on the flanks. Brown pintails breed in South America and sometimes migrate north to the U.S. for winter. They prefer shallow freshwater wetlands with dense vegetation.
Buff-Breasted Duck
The buff-breasted duck (Tryngites subruficollis) is one of the world’s rarest waterfowl species. Males have a buff-colored breast and underparts while females are darker overall. They breed only in the arctic tundra before undertaking an enormous overwater migration down the Atlantic Coast to winter in coastal South America.
Bufflehead
The tiny bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is North America’s smallest diving duck. Males have an iridescent plumage with a puffy white head patch and white rump. Females are grey-brown. Despite their small size, they are able to dive over 6 meters deep to catch aquatic invertebrates and small fish. Buffleheads nest in tree cavities near water.
Cape Shoveler
The Cape shoveler (Spatula smithii) is named for its large shovel-shaped bill. Males have green iridescent heads and white chests while females are cryptically patterned brown. This rare duck inhabits marshes and pans across southern Africa. They filter-feed on zooplankton and aquatic invertebrates.
Cape Teal
Africa’s smallest duck, the Cape teal (Anas capensis) is just 30 cm long. Males sport a chestnut head with a green face patch and silvery grey plumage. Females are mottled brown. Cape teal are abundant throughout Sub-Saharan Africa in vegetated wetlands. They are adept at taking flight vertically to avoid predators.
C
Canvasback
The canvasback (Aythya valisineria) is a large diving duck of North America named for the male’s grey-white canvas-colored back. Females are chestnut with a paler head. Canvasbacks breed in prairie marshes and winter in coastal bays. They dive to depths over 2 meters to catch shellfish, plants, and fish.
Chiloe Wigeon
The Chiloe wigeon (Mareca sibilatrix) is a dabbling duck found in wetlands across Chile and Argentina. Males have a chestnut head with yellow eye rings and white flanks. Females are mottled brown. This duck’s habitat is threatened by conversion of grasslands to agriculture and pine plantations.
Chinstrap Penguin
The chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) can be identified by the thin black line that runs under its chin, resembling a chinstrap. They have black backs and white fronts. Chinstrap penguins breed on the islands surrounding Antarctica. They feed on krill and fish in the cold Southern Ocean.
Cinnamon Teal
The aptly named cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera) exhibits gorgeous chestnut plumage with a red eye and blue wing patch on breeding males. Females are mottled brown. This medium-sized dabbler inhabits marshes and wetlands of western North America. It is very closely related to the blue-winged teal.
Comb Duck
The bizarre comb duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) of tropical wetlands has a striking face pattern that looks like a black comb over its bill. Males are grey with white spots while females are plain brown. Comb ducks are found through Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and into southern Asia. Despite their unusual looks, comb ducks are elusive and seldom seen.
E
Egyptian Goose
The Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca), indigenous to Africa, is remarkable for its year-round pair bonds. Their back and wings form a distinctive chestnut patch contrasting white underparts. Egyptian geese live in wetlands and along the Nile River. Some populations have established outside Africa as introduced species.
Emperor Goose
The emperor goose (Anser canagicus) breeds only in Alaska and eastern Siberia in coastal tundra and lagoons. They have unique plumage: adults have a grey back, black throat, white head, and short black bill. Emperor geese migrate an incredible 4,000 km to winter along the Aleutian Islands and Pacific northwest coast.
Eurasian Teal
The Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) is Europe and Asia’s smallest dabbling duck. Males sport a chestnut head with a bright green face patch called a “chin strap.” Females are brown-mottled with a pale face. This duck breeds across northern Eurasia and migrates south for winter. They inhabit vegetated freshwater wetlands.
Eurasian Wigeon
The Eurasian wigeon (Mareca penelope) breeds across northern Eurasia and is a common wintering duck across Europe and Asia. Males have a rusty-red head with a cream crown and grey body. Females are brown-patterned. Eurasian wigeons make a three-note whistle and graze on grass in meadows and marshes.
Falcated Duck
The falcated duck (Mareca falcata) breeds in Siberia and winters in southern Asia. The male has a green-glossed head, grey sides, and long black tertials that fold over its back like “falchions” (sickle-shaped swords). Females are brown-patterned. They inhabit wooded wetlands and ponds.
F
Ferruginous Duck
The ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca) breeds across Eurasia in shallow, well-vegetated wetlands. Males are grey with a rusty-brown chest and bright white eye. Females are brown. Ferruginous ducks are strongly migratory, traveling south to Africa and southern Asia for the northern winter.
Ferruginous Pochard
The ferruginous pochard (Aythya ferruginea) is an olive-brown diving duck from southern Asia. Males have a blackish head and neck with white rings around the eyes and bill. Females are paler overall. This duck inhabits large lakes with good aquatic vegetation. It is classified as near threatened.
Fuegian Steamer-Duck
The striking Fuegian steamer-duck (Tachyeres pteneres) lives along the rocky coasts of southern Argentina and Chile. This sturdy, flightless duck has grey and white plumage and uses its wings to “steam” across the water. The Fuegian steamer-duck feeds on shellfish and marine invertebrates. Its population is declining.
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
The fulvous whistling-duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) inhabits wetlands, rice paddies, and rain-filled ditches across the tropics. They have rich rufous plumage with a long black bill and legs. Fulvous whistling-ducks make a distinctive whistling call while flying in long V-formations at dusk and dawn.
G
Gadwall
The gadwall (Mareca strepera) is a common dabbling duck named for the male’s grey-brown coloration resembling a gadwall pattern. Females are brown-mottled with white bellies. This duck breeds across the northern hemisphere in marshes and ponds. They migrate in huge clockwise circles up to 5,000 km long.
Greater Scaup
The greater scaup (Aythya marila) breeds across the northern North America and Eurasia in wetlands and lakes. Males have a green head and white flanks while females are brown-speckled. Greater scaup migrate south along coastlines and dive for mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants.
Green Pygmy-goose
The tiny green pygmy-goose (Nettapus pulchellus) of New Guinea and Australia is the world’s smallest wild duck. They reach just 28 cm long and 90 g in weight. These tiny ducks have glossy green and purple upperparts with white underparts. They inhabit tropical wetlands, ditches, and swamps.
Green-Winged Teal
The green-winged teal (Anas carolinensis) is North America’s smallest dabbling duck. Males have a chestnut head with a green facial stripe and white vertical stripe up the side of the breast. Females are mottled brown. Green-winged teals breed across Canada and the U.S. and are quick, agile flyers.
H
Harlequin Duck
The striking harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) breeds along fast-moving streams in the northern forests and tundra zones of North America and Eurasia. Males have elaborately patterned blue-grey and chestnut plumage. Harlequin ducks winter along rocky coastlines. Their populations are declining.
Hawaiian Duck
The Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana), or koloa, is found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Males have a dark green head and grey body while females are brown-speckled. This dabbling duck inhabits wetlands, natural pools, and marshy taro fields on the Hawaiian Islands. Its numbers have declined and it is endangered.
Hooded Merganser
Male hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) have striking black-and-white fan-crested heads. Females are grey-brown with a reddish-brown crest. This small diving duck inhabits swampy woodlands across North America. They nest in tree cavities and feed on small fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Horned Grebe
The horned grebe (Podiceps auritus) is a small waterbird with a short, sharp bill and feathers that extend like horns behind its eyes. Breeding adults have a reddish neck and black head. This grebe breeds in vegetated wetlands across northern North America and Eurasia. They winter along coastlines.
Hottentot Teal
The Hottentot teal (Spatula hottentota) of Africa is named for its loud call that resembles the language of the Hottentot people. Males have a striking white face and underparts. Females are brown-speckled. This duck inhabits wetlands across Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East.
L
Lesser Scaup
The lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) breeds across Canada and the northern U.S. in wetlands and ponds. Males have a purple head with yellow eyes and grey back. Females are brown. Lesser scaup migrate down the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts in winter to feed on mollusks and aquatic plants.
Lesser Whistling-Duck
The lesser whistling-duck (Dendrocygna j