7 Types of Ducks to Look for This Spring

Northern pintail is one of my favorite ducks. The male’s pattern is extremely unique and distinct so you are unlikely to confuse this species with any of the other ducks. This species is more likely to be found in shallow ponds and marshes than on large bodies of water. Look for the very long tail feathers in flight, which will help you pick this species out from a great distance.

American wigeon are likely to be found alongside our first species, northern pintail, in shallow ponds and marshes. Keep a close eye on any large groups of American wigeon and you just might find a rare Eurasian wigeon in the flock!

The white crown on this species led to the old name “Baldpate” because it looks like a bald man’s head.

The female American Wigeon isn’t quite as distinctive as the male.

The name of this duck tells you just about everything you need to know about it! It has an incredible shovel like bill that it uses to filter mud as it looks for food.

Although their bill isn’t as distinctive as the northern shoveler, blue-winged teal use it to filter mud as they feed as well. The male of this species is easily identified by its bold white crescent on it’s head as well as its white hip-patch. Like many female birds, female blue-winged teal aren’t as flashy as the males so that they can blend in when on their nests.

Unlike our first four species, the canvasback is a duck that prefers deeper water as it dives to catch its meals. Both males and females have a very distinct sloping shape to their head.

I love how the stark white back contrasts with the rich brown color of the male Canvasback’s head.

Although the female doesn’t have the contrasting colors of the male Canvasback, notice how the head shape is consistent between the male and female.

This tiny diving duck is another one of my favorite waterfowl species. With a close view, the iridescent black on the head of the bufflehead is extremely striking!

This beautiful duck might look like it would stand out, but when it hides right along the shore, it can be difficult to spot. This species, and the bufflehead above, both nest in trees, unlike the other featured ducks that are all ground nesters.