Parade of Winter Florida Ducks

Many Florida ducks, like Florida residents, are only here in the winter. Here are a few you might be able to see.

It’s no secret that Florida’s population booms in the winter. “Snowbirds” flock to our state to avoid snow, ice, and the other pitfalls of northern winters. But in some cases, the term “snowbird” is literal – Florida welcomes a lot of actual birds for the winter too. A lot of waterfowl spend the cold months here, where waters don’t freeze and food remains easily available. Last week I posted Hooded Mergansers overwintering here in Florida. Here are some more Florida ducks you’re more likely to spot here in the winter, and the places I’ve spotted them.

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta), Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida Winter Ducks

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), Tampa

Florida Winter Ducks Jill Staake

Red-Breasted Merganser Female (Mergus serrator), Fort De Soto Park

Florida Winter Ducks Merganser

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida Winter Ducks Northern Shoveler

Redheads (Aythya americana) in mixed flock, Pinellas County

Florida Winter Ducks Redheads Mixed Flock

Ring-Necked Duck (Anthya collaris), Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida Winter Ducks Ring NecksJill Staake

Blue-Winged Teal (Anas discors), Circle B Bar Reserve

Florida Winter Ducks Teals

American Wigeon (Anas americana) and Blue-Winged Teal, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida Winter Ducks Wigeon Teals

Jill Staake
Jill lives in Tampa, Florida, and writes about gardening, butterflies, outdoor projects and birding. When she's not gardening, you'll find her reading, traveling and happily digging her toes into the sand on the beach.