Ducks are a common sight in Florida, and there are many opportunities for bird watchers and waterfowl hunters to see these birds up close. While you can find ducks throughout the state, some areas are particularly popular with these animals.
As an avid birdwatcher, I traveled the entire Sunshine State to search for different types of ducks and the best places to spot them.
This blog post will discuss Florida’s best waterfowl-watching and duck-hunting locations. I’ll also provide information on what you need to hunt ducks in the state of Florida for waterfowl hunters.
So if you’re interested in getting closer to these feathered creatures, keep reading!
What Ducks Are in Florida?
There are 35 different species of ducks in the state of Florida.
Black-bellied Whistling-duck
Bufflehead
Canvasback
Cinnamon Teal
Common Goldeneye
Common Teal
Fulvous Whistling-duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Northern Shoveler
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Florida, with its lush wetlands and diverse ecosystems, is a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. The Sunshine State is home to a myriad of duck species, offering unique opportunities for observing these remarkable birds. If you’re keen to broaden your duck-watching experiences, consider venturing into neighbouring states, where you’ll find even more fascinating waterfowl.
To the north, you can immerse yourself in the splendid world of Georgia’s ducks and appreciate the incredible diversity of species that inhabit the state. Additionally, Alabama lies to the northwest, and a visit there will unveil the intriguing duck species of Alabama that thrive in its vibrant wetland habitats.
American Black Duck
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The American black duck belongs to the Anatidae family of big dabbling ducks. American Black Ducks are easily identified by their black plumage and white markings on the face and wingtips.
The males also have an orange bill with a black tip while females have dark gray bills with white spots on top. Both sexes have dark gray legs and feet which help them blend in with their surroundings.
They are omnivores, but mainly eat aquatic plants such as algae and duckweed. They also eat insects, small fish, snails, and seeds from land plants like clover or grasses which grow near bodies of water where they live.
The habitat for the American Black Duck is ponds and lakes in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. They are migratory birds and breed in northern regions like Alaska, Canada, and the northern United States. They have been known to nest on islands or in tree cavities when they cannot find a suitable wetland habitat.
The current population of the American Black Duck is estimated to be around 1 million birds.
Scientific Name: Anas rubripes
Height: 54–59 cm (21–23 in)
Wingspan: 88–95 cm (35–37 in)
Weight: 720–1,640 g (1.59–3.62 lb)
American Wigeon
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The American Wigeon, also known as the baldpate, is a medium-sized duck that is native to North America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa.
American Wigeon is known for its bright plumage: males have a blue head and neck with a white breast and belly; females have a brown head with a white eye stripe and yellowish markings on the breast and belly. They also have short legs with two toes on each foot which enable them to walk easily on land or water.
Their diet consists of aquatic vegetation and seeds. They mainly eat aquatic plants, but also take some small invertebrates such as insects or snails from the water’s edge.
This species prefers areas with dense vegetation because they provide an excellent source of food for these birds during the breeding season (i.e., they can feed on aquatic plants). They are usually found in freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, and river deltas.
They are not migratory and typically remain at the same location year-round. The current population of this bird is estimated at around 2 million individuals worldwide.
Scientific Name: Mareca americana
Height: 42–59 cm (17–23 in)
Wingspan: 76–91 cm (30–36 in)
Weight: 512–1,330 g (1.129–2.932 lb)
Black Scoter
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The black scoter, or American scoter, is a large sea duck, that breeds in the far north and winters in fresh water. These birds can be found in North America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Russia.
It is dark brown with a white belly, black breast and neck, and white feathers on its flanks. The male is larger than the female, though both sexes are similar in size. The eye is yellowish-orange with a dark ring around it. The legs are yellow.
They breed in small ponds with deep water, since they prefer to nest in freshwater lakes and rivers rather than saltwater lakes. Their diet consists mainly of fish and crustaceans, aquatic plants including algae, tubers, and seeds, as well as some insects when available.
It is a migratory bird that spends most of its time at sea, but it travels to land on migration routes during spring and fall.
The current population of this species is estimated at 1 million individuals worldwide; however, there are concerns about its future because many of its populations are declining due to habitat loss caused by climate change and pollution.
Scientific Name: Melanitta americana
Length: 430–550 mm (17–21.5 in)
Wingspan: 710 mm (28 in)
Weight: 950 g (2.09 lb)
Listen to Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck has an orange bill, dark brown eyes and brown legs. The male has a white throat and red breast while the female has a brown breast. The male’s bill is longer than the female’s bill but both sexes have long tails.
These ducks can be found in wetland habitats such as lakes and ponds where there are reeds or other tall grasses for them to hide in when threatened by predators like foxes or dogs.
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are monogamous, meaning they form lifelong pair bonds with one partner. The male builds a nest out of sticks, and the female lays 5 to 8 eggs in it. The eggs hatch after about 28 days of incubation by both parents.
The main diet of the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck consists of aquatic plants, insects and mollusks. They use their bills to dig up food from mud or soft soil by digging with their feet as well as using their bills to scoop up prey items from shallow water or soft soil.
Scientific Name: Dendrocygna autumnalis
Height: 17-24 inches
Wingspan: 31.5-34.3 inches
Weight: 1.5-2.7 lbs
Blue-winged Teal
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The Blue-winged Teal is a small duck that lives in North America. It has a glossy blue-gray head and back, with a white breast and sides. Its wings are dark brown with two white stripes, and its tail is also dark brown with white edges.
The Blue-winged Teal’s diet consists mostly of aquatic plants like pondweed, but it will also eat insects when they are available. Blue-winged teals often feed by pecking at the surface of the water rather than diving for food. It will sometimes form small groups to feed together or fly in single file formation when migrating south for winter.
Blue-winged teals are found in marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers throughout the United States south of Canada, and north of Mexico.
They are migratory birds and fly south for the winter months to warmer climates. It winters along the Atlantic coast from southern New England to Virginia and then moves further south as far as Mexico.
Scientific Name: Spatula discors
Height: 40 cm (16 in)
Wingspan: 58 cm (23 in)
Weight: 370 g (13 oz)
Bufflehead
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The Bufflehead is one of the most striking birds in North America. It is a small duck with a pale head, a black breast, and a white belly. It has a black head and neck, white patches on the cheeks and throat, and a distinctive white crescent on each side of its tail.
The Bufflehead is a strong flier, but rarely flies more than several hundred yards at a time. It lives on the coast of North America, spending most of its time in salt water.
Buffleheads can eat many different types of foods including clams, crayfish (also known as crawfish), insects such as beetles and flies as well as other small animals such as mice or voles (small rodents). It also feeds on insects and crustaceans found along the bottom of streams or lakes, as well as small fish such as minnows or suckers.
Buffleheads spend most of their time in freshwater habitats such as lakes, ponds, rivers, estuaries, and bays. They are able to survive in such diverse environments because they are excellent swimmers and divers.
Scientific Name: Bucephala albeola
Length: 32–40 cm (13–16 in)
Wingspan: 21.6 in (55 cm)
Weight: 270–550 g (9.5–19.4 oz)
Cinnamon Teal
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Cinnamon Teal is a small duck with distinctive bright cinnamon-colored feathers on its back, white markings above the eye and a dark bill. These ducks are native to North and South America. The females have a tan head and mottled brown body.
The diet of this bird includes seeds, insects, and other invertebrates that are found near water sources where they live. Like most ducks, it feeds on aquatic vegetation such as pondweed, watercress, pondweed, and water lilies. This bird has also been known to eat insects and small crustaceans.
They are found in the northern hemisphere and are particularly common in North America, where they breed from Alaska to Canada. They winter south of the U.S., as well as in parts of Mexico and Central America.
The Cinnamon Teal is a very social bird, often living in large flocks during the breeding season and congregating around lakes and rivers during migration. They tend to be shy and elusive, so it can be difficult to see them in their natural habitat.
These birds mate for life and build nests on the ground near water sources—usually shallow ponds or marshes with tall grasses nearby for cover when young are being reared.
Scientific Name: Spatula cyanoptera
Height: 21.3-22.4 in (54-57 cm)
Wingspan: 22-inch (560 mm)
Weight: 11.8-14.1 oz (335-401 g)
Common Eider
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The common eider, sometimes known as the Cuddy’s duck or St. Cuthbert’s duck, is a huge sea duck with a round head and a thick neck found throughout the northern shores of Europe, North America, and eastern Siberia.
Common eiders have a long, rounded tail and a distinctive white patch at the base of the bill. Their plumage is predominantly black and white, with brownish-gray on their wings and back.
They prefer to live in shallow waters where they can dive for food easily. They feed on fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and other marine life. They are also known to eat dead fish found near shorelines. In winter, they can be found near open water such as estuaries or sheltered bays where there is access to ice floes for resting and feeding.
Common Eiders have several unique characteristics that make them stand out from other birds of their kind. Their legs are positioned so that when swimming underwater they can rotate their feet 180 degrees without having to lift them above the water’s surface.
They breed on coastal tundra lakes in northern Canada and Alaska. The population of Common eiders has been steadily declining over the years due to habitat loss caused by human activities such as logging operations, which destroy nesting habitats for these birds each year.
Scientific Name: Somateria mollissima
Length: 50–71 cm or 20–28 in
Wingspan: 80–110 cm (31–43 in)
Weight: 0.81 to 3.04 kg (1 lb 12+1⁄2 oz to 6 lb 11 oz)
Common Goldeneye
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The Common Goldeneye Duck is a medium-sized diving duck that breeds across the northern hemisphere in North America, Asia, and Europe. It winters in the southern hemisphere.
The male is unmistakable with his black head, white neck and breast, dark grey body and white belly.
Females are easily confused with other females in the same genus but are smaller than most and have a distinctive blue eye ring. Additionally, they have a dark brown head.
During the winter months, these diving ducks travel south to warmer climates where they can find open water for feeding on fish and crustaceans.
The common goldeneye is not considered endangered or threatened by the IUCN red list of endangered species but it does have special status in several countries due to its popularity as a game bird.
These diving ducks are known for diving for food under water, which makes it difficult for predators such as bears to catch them. These diving ducks eat aquatic insects, crustaceans like crayfish or shrimp, fish (including salmon), amphibians like frogs or salamanders and other small animals.
Scientific Name: Bucephala clangula
Height: 18-20 inches
Wingspan: 30.3-32.7 inches
Weight: 1.8-2.2 lbs
Common Merganser
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The common merganser, sometimes known as the goosander, is a huge sea duck found in wooded parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. They have a long bill that is pointed at the end and has a black tip on it. Their plumage is mostly dark with a white underside. They have very large feet and webbed toes to help them swim. Their legs are long and slender as well.
Common mergansers are omnivores, eating both plants and animals such as small fish or insects. They eat their prey by diving underwater and spearing it with their long bill before swallowing it whole.
The habitat of this bird is lakes, rivers, ponds, and marshes. They prefer quieter bodies of water with plenty of vegetation along the shores where they can rest during the day before moving on to hunt at night.
The current population of this bird is considered stable due to its ability to thrive even when there are threats present due to its adaptability as well as its wide range across North America.
Scientific Name: Mergus merganser
Length: 58–72 cm (23–28+1⁄2 in)
Wingspan: 78–97 cm (30+1⁄2–38 in)
Weight: 0.9–2.1 kg (2 lb 0 oz – 4 lb 10 oz)
Eurasian Wigeon
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The Eurasian Wigeon, or European Wigeon, is a medium-sized duck with a long, pointed bill and a distinctive white crescent on the side of its face. The male Eurasian Wigeon has a light brown body with a dark green head and white cheek stripes on either side of its face. The female Eurasian Wigeon has a lighter brown body with a black head and white cheek stripes on either side of its face.
The diet of Eurasian Wigeon consists of vegetation such as roots, bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes from aquatic plants such as sedges, bulrushes, and other grasses as well as insects such as dragonflies or water boatmen. In wintertime, they feed on aquatic plants like duckweed or reeds in shallow water.
They are found in central and eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, China, Korea, Japan, north-east Siberia and Alaska. They migrate between the breeding grounds in central Asia and southern Europe. They prefer nesting near lakes or ponds but they can also be found nesting on small streams.
The current population of Eurasian Wigeons is estimated at around 1 million birds worldwide with populations declining in many areas due to habitat loss.
Scientific Name: Mareca penelope
Height: 42–52 cm (17–20 in)
Wingspan: 71–80 cm (28–31 in)
Weight: 500–1,073 g (1.102–2.366 lb)
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
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The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a medium-sized duck that is found in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. It has a light brown body and a yellow head with a white underside. They have a blackhead, neck, back, and tail. The males are more brightly colored than the females.
The habitat of this bird includes marshes, lakes, and ponds where they feed on seeds, aquatic plants, insects, and occasionally small fish. The Fulvous Whistling-Duck usually nests on the ground near water but may also nest in trees or cattails.
Their diet consists mostly of seeds from grasses or sedges as well as aquatic plants such as pondweeds or duckweed. They also eat invertebrates such as mollusks (snails), crustaceans (crayfish), or insects like dragonflies or beetles depending on what’s available in their habitat at different times of year.
The population of this species has been declining due to habitat loss caused by agriculture and urbanization; however, there are currently no known threats to its continued existence.
Scientific Name: Dendrocygna bicolor
Height: 16 to 20 inches (40 to 50 centimeters)
Wingspan: 85 to 93 cm
Weight: 748–1,050 g (26.4–37.0 oz)
Gadwall
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Gadwall is a duck that’s known for its yellow bill and the white patch on its cheek. It is native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It has a black head and breast, white cheeks, and a buff-colored body. The male’s bill is yellow with a dark tip.
The Gadwall’s color varies depending on its location—in North America, they are a dull brownish-gray, while in Europe their feathers are more of a chestnut brown or a light brown plumage. Their bills are black with a white tip, and their legs are yellowish-green above black webbed feet.
The only thing that sets them apart from other ducks is their eyes: they have dark brown eyes with a distinctive red circle around them.
Gadwalls are slightly smaller than mallards, with males weighing between 2 and 3 pounds and females weighing between 1.5 and 2 pounds.
Gadwalls eat insects, worms, crustaceans like crayfish, frogs, and tadpoles as well as small fish when available. They will also eat seeds from grasses and plants like watercress
The Gadwall’s habitat is near water; it can be found in marshes, rice paddies, ponds, and lakes.
Gadwalls breed in northern North America and in Europe as far east as Siberia. They also breed in Asia where they are found in Japan, Korea, and China as well as Mongolia and Siberia.
They are migratory birds that fly south in the winter to warmer climates. They migrate south to winter in the southern USA, Mexico, and Central America as well as southern Europe (Spain), Central Africa (Ethiopia), and India. They are usually found in pairs or small flocks during migration and breeding season but tend to be solitary during winter months when they migrate southward.
This species of duck has experienced an increase in population over the last 100 years due to conservation efforts by governments and organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).
Scientific Name: Mareca strepera
Height: 46–56 cm (18–22 in)
Wingspan: 78–90 cm (31–35 in)
Weight
Male: 990 g (35 oz)
Female: 850 g (30 oz
Greater Scaup
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The Greater Scaup is a large diving duck with a distinctive white band on its head. The rest of its body is brown with a blue-grey sheen on its back and tail (which can be seen when they fly). The male is larger than the female, with a more pronounced bill and more white wing feathers. It has a black bill, black feet and legs, and gray plumage. The female also has mostly brown body.
They prefer shallow water close to shore where they can feed on aquatic vegetation and small fish. They are omnivorous creatures who feed on mollusks, crustaceans, insects (especially water beetles), worms, and other small invertebrates like larval dragonflies which comprise about 60% of their diet.
This species breeds in the northern taiga regions of Canada and Alaska and winters in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as some inland lakes. It is an uncommon sight in North America but can be found in many areas across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. In winter, it migrates to southern Canada and parts of the northeastern United States.
Scientific Name: Aythya marila
Height: 39–56 cm (15–22 in)
Wingspan: 71–84 cm (28–33 in)
Weight: 726–1,360 g (1.601–2.998 lb)
Harlequin Duck
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The Harlequin Duck is a beautiful small sea duck that is native to North America. It has a unique appearance. It has a black head, neck, and breast, with white cheeks and sides of the neck, and red eyes. The body is black with white spots on the wings and tail feathers. The male in particular has a slate-blue head which make him the prettier duck of the two sexes.
In addition to being unique-looking birds, Harlequin Ducks are also very vocal animals who make sounds such as whistles and squeaks that can be heard from up to 100 yards away! These sounds are used primarily for communication between other ducks within a flock but can also be used to alert predators of danger if needed (such as when approaching land).
These birds feed on small fish and crustaceans such as shrimp and clams. They can dive up to 20 feet below the surface to catch their prey.
It can be found in coastal areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, where it lives in salt marshes. It lives in freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers. The species is monogamous and breeds in April and May.
Unfortunately, these beautiful creatures are currently under threat from habitat loss due to human development as well as overfishing.
Scientific Name: Histrionicus histrionicus
Length: 15–17 in (380–430 mm)
Wingspan: 26 in (660 mm)
Weight: 600 g (1.3 lb)
Hooded Merganser
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The hooded merganser, also known as the hooded duck, is a species of duck that lives in North America. It has a black head and a brown back. It has two different colored eyes: one brown and one yellow-orange, which are always open.
This duck is a relatively small duck with a slender body and a long tail. It has a white breast and belly, as well as a black cap and crest, which creates the illusion of the bird wearing a hood.
Hooded Mergansers eat mostly fish—they dive underwater to catch them! They also eat crayfish, crustaceans such as shrimp or krill, frogs, snails, and insects such as dragonflies or grasshoppers when they are unable to find enough food near the surface of water bodies.
The Hooded Merganser lives in North America and spends most of its time in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers during the spring breeding season. It moves to saltwater marshes during the winter months to avoid freezing temperatures.
The Hooded Merganser is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List because its population is stable or increasing and it has a large range.
Scientific Name: Lophodytes cucullatus
Length: 15.8-19.3 in (40-49 cm)
Wingspan: 23.6-26.0 in (60-66 cm)
Weight: 16.0-31.0 oz (453-879 g)
King Eider
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The King Eider is a large sea duck that breeds in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions from Alaska to Greenland and along most of the northern Hudson Bay shoreline.
It is so named because of its magnificent crest, which it can raise or lower at will. It has a stocky body, a large head, and a short neck. Its plumage is brownish-gray on the back and sides, with a white belly and chest.
The King Eider prefers breeding grounds near the sea, where they can feed on mussels and other shellfish. They also eat small fish and crustaceans.
This species is found in coastal areas near water during the summer months, but it will migrate during winter months to coastal areas away from ice sheets where it can find food. They typically live about 15 years in the wild but have been known to live up to 35 years in captivity.
This bird can dive to depths of about 30 meters for over 30 seconds at a time in search of food such as small fish or mollusks.
The king eider is listed as Vulnerable by Birdlife International because its population has declined by more than 10% since 1980 due to overhunting in some parts of its range.
Scientific Name: Somateria spectabilis
Height: 52–57 cm (20–22 inches)
Wingspan: 86–102 cm (34–40 in)
Weight: 1.6 kg
Lesser Scaup
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The lesser scaup is a tiny diving duck native to North America that winters in Central America. It is a smaller version of the Greater Scaup, and it can be distinguished from that species by its black breast, which contrasts with the white breast of the Greater Scaup.
They are one of the most abundant waterfowl in North America and are found across Canada and the United States. Because of its unusual blue bill, it is also called the small bluebill or broadbill.
The Lesser Scaup’s habitat is typically freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. They can also be found on large ponds and reservoirs with plenty of aquatic vegetation.
Lesser Scaups eat mostly fish but also insects and small crustaceans, which they find by diving beneath the surface of the water for up to 40 seconds at a time. They are very territorial birds, so you may see several males fighting over territory during the breeding season.
Lesser scaups breed in ponds and lakes across Canada and much of the northern United States from late April through May. They usually nest in colonies with other species such as mallards or common goldeneyes.
The Lesser Scaup is not considered to be endangered or threatened and is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Scientific Name: Aythya affinis
Height: 41.7–43 cm (16.4–16.9 in)
Wingspan: 68–78 cm (27–31 in)
Weight: 454–1,089 g (1.001–2.401 lb)
Long-tailed Duck (clangula hyemalis)
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Long-tailed Ducks are species of duck that are native to Australia and New Zealand. They are named for their long, narrow tail feathers, which can be over 30% longer than the rest of their body. It has a black bill, brown eyes, and grayish-brown feathers on its back and wings. The underside of the bird is white in color.
The Long-tailed Duck eats aquatic plants, seeds, insects, snails, mollusks, crustaceans, fish eggs, and small fish. They can dive up to 60 feet below the surface.
These species of duck prefer to live in areas where there are plenty of lakes and ponds for them to feed on. They are also known for being very territorial so they tend not to share their space with other species unless they have no choice but to or if they’re trying to breed.
They are migratory birds, traveling from Canada to Europe during the summer months before returning south for winter months in North America or Asia.
They can be found in Europe, Asia, North America, and parts of South America. They breed in freshwater lakes from May through July or August depending on where they live. They migrate to southern latitudes during the winter months to avoid freezing temperatures.
Long-tailed Ducks have a current population of roughly 2 million individuals worldwide—that’s down from an estimated 4 million during the 1980s.
Scientific Name: Clangula hyemalis
Length: 440–600 mm (17.5–23.5 in)
Wingspan: 710 mm (28 in)
Weight: 740 g (1.63 lb)
Mallard
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The Mallard is a small, wild duck that lives in the United States and Canada. It’s a duck that is native to the Northern Hemisphere. It has a beautiful green head and a brown body, and it’s known for its long, lobed tail feathers.
They have black bills and yellow feet, which makes them easy to identify. Males have purple patches on their wings, while the female mallards have mainly brown-speckled plumage and orange and brown bills. Additionally, the female Mallard looks similar to the mottled duck.
Their diet consists mostly of seeds, fruit, and insects. Mallards have been known to consume small rodents if they are available. They also eat frogs and fish when they can catch them. They usually feed at night in shallow water or on land near water sources.
Their habitat is primarily in wetlands such as ponds, lakes, and rivers. They also inhabit saltwater environments close to lands such as bays and estuaries.
They are also very social birds that travel in flocks during the breeding season and pair off into monogamous pairs during the winter months when they migrate southward to warmer climates where food sources are more plentiful.
Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
Height: 50–65 cm (20–26 in)
Wingspan: 81–98 cm (32–39 in)
Weight: 0.7–1.6 kg (1.5–3.5 lb)
Masked Duck
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The Masked Duck is a medium-sized water bird, with a slender neck and long legs. It is a species of waterfowl that live in the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
It has a blackish bill, black hood, and grey body. It’s one of the most distinctive birds in the world because of its bright red face mask, white cheeks, and black “mask” around its eyes. The male and female have identical plumage, although the males are generally slightly larger.
Masked ducks are omnivores that eat plants and animals; they feed by dabbling for plant material or hunting insects, worms, crustaceans, and mollusks above water or underwater by up to 7 feet (2 m) deep.
The masked duck is found in freshwater wetlands of eastern North America from the Atlantic coast west to Minnesota, south to Florida, and Texas; also found in Mexico. They are generally not migratory but may wander further south during winter.
The masked duck is not endangered but it is considered to be vulnerable due to habitat loss due to human development.
Scientific Name: Nomonyx dominicus
Length: 12- 14 inches
Wingspan: 17 in (43 cm)
Weight: 9.7-15.8 oz (275-450 g)
Mottled Ducks
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The Mottled Duck is a medium-sized diving duck with an olive-brown head and and warm brown body, black spots on its white breast and flanks, and a pale blue bill.
Mottled Ducks have a bright orange bill, with a black head and neck, white cheeks, black back, and tail feathers. They also have some white breast feathers. The males are more colorful than the females. Males have a bright yellow bill and a gray chestnut head and neck with black back feathers. Females have a white chestnut head and neck with black back feathers and a pale orange bill.
Their diet is made up of aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants such as pondweeds, duckweeds, and bladderworts. It also includes insects like dragonflies and beetles as well as small fish like minnows or other small amphibians like frogs or salamanders.
It is found in freshwater lakes and ponds in southern Canada, the eastern United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa, and northern South America.
Mottled Ducks are monogamous birds; they mate for life and nest in tree holes or on the ground near water bodies where they can easily find food for their younglings.
Scientific Name: Anas fulvigula
Height:
Male: 19.7–22.5 in (50–57 cm)
Female: 18.5–21.0 in (47–53 cm)
Wingspan:
Male: 32.7–34.3 in (83–87 cm)
Female: 31.5–327.2 in (80–831 cm)
Weight:
Male: 30.9–43.8 oz (880–1,240 g)
Female:24.7–40.6 oz (700–1,150 g)
Muscovy Duck
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The wild Muscovy Ducks are a duck species in North America, except for parts of Central America, and they’re also one of the oldest.
Muscovy ducks are native to Mexico and South America; but have been introduced in Europe. They were domesticated by ancient Mesopotamians thousands of years ago, and they’ve been used as a food source ever since.
The Muscovy Duck is a large duck with a black body, white stripes on its wings, and a red face. It is native to Central America and southern North America. It can be found in wetlands and lakes, as well as on rivers.
The diet of the Muscovy Duck includes plants and insects as well as seeds from plants such as grapes or wheat grasses. They also eat snails, earthworms, small fish, snails, slugs, and frogs.
The Muscovy Duck has no feathers on its nostrils that allow it to breathe when diving underwater. It has webbed feet and a long neck that allows it to reach food that is underwater or above the surface of the water. It is an excellent swimmer, but it can also fly well.
Today, they’re most commonly kept as pets—they do well living with humans and are very friendly! But they can also be found in open areas like parks and farms, where they can roam free. The birds are also kept as pets in urban areas where they are valued for their noise-making ability (they are known as “Quackers”).
Scientific Name: Cairina moschata
Height: 76 cm (30 in)
Wingspan: 1.4 – 1.5 m
Weight: 7 kg (15 lb)
Northern Pintail
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The Northern Pintail is an uncommon duck that can be found in North America and Europe. This duck is a medium-sized, strong-flying waterfowl with a long neck and tail.
Both sexes have grey legs and feet and blue-grey bills. A faint white stripe runs from the rear of the drake’s chocolate brown head down its neck to its mainly white undercarriage, making it more noticeable.
The drake’s back and flanks have excellent grey, brown, and black patterning. The hen’s plumage is more muted, with dull brown feathers that resemble those of other female dabbling ducks. The drakes emit a flute-like whistle, while the hens make a harsh quack.
The Northern Pintails are migratory ducks that nests on or near open water with some vegetation nearby. This bird feeds on aquatic plants such as bulrush roots, pondweeds, and sedges; seeds from different plants like grass; insects such as dragonflies; fish; other small animals such as mice or frogs; and worms, which are their favorite food source for survival (when they’re not eating seeds).
There are approximately 1 million Northern Pintails left in the wild today.
Scientific Name: Anas acuta
Height:
Male: 59–76 cm (23–30 in)
Female: 51–64 cm (20–25 in)
Wingspan: 80–95 cm (31–37 in)
Weight:
Male: 450–1,360 g (0.99–3.00 lb)
Female: 454–1,135 g (1.001–2.502 lb)
Northern Shoveler
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The northern shoveler, often known as the shoveler in the United Kingdom, is a common and ubiquitous duck. With its yellow eyes, brown head and neck and breast, greenish-yellow bill and wings, white breast and belly, and the dark greenback, and black tail feathers, it’s hard to mistake for any other duck species. The females have a mottled brown body while the breeding males have dark heads.
This duck lives in freshwater ponds, marshes, lakes, rivers, and streams but will also sometimes inhabit brackish water areas where the water has a high salt content. It breeds in North America from Canada to Mexico, migrating south for the winter months.
The Northern Shoveler’s diet consists primarily of aquatic plants like duckweed and water lettuce. It also eats insects, worms, crustaceans, and mollusks if they can find them in the water.
Wintering in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central, the Caribbean, and northern South America, it breeds in northern Europe, through the Palearctic, and across much of North America.
Scientific Name: Spatula clypeata
Height: 16 in (41 cm)
Wingspan: 22-inch (560 mm)
Weight: 14 oz (400 g)
Red-breasted Merganser
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The Red-breasted Merganser has an appearance that makes it easy to identify. The feathers on their chest are red in coloration, and they have a white throat area. They are known for their bright red chests, which is what gives them their name.
This bird has a long body with a white underside and black head, neck, back, and tail. Its wings are brownish-grey and its bill is yellow with an orange tip.
These sea ducks feed on fish by diving into the water using their wings to propel themselves forward like penguins do when swimming underwater. They also eat amphibians such as frogs or newts if they can catch them.
The habitat of this bird includes lakes, rivers, and ponds where they can dive into the water to catch fish while swimming underwater or dive from above the water to catch fish resting on the bottom of lakes or ponds.
This bird is not endangered or threatened at this time because it has a very large population of over 8 million birds worldwide.
Scientific Name: Mergus serrator
Length: 51–62 cm (20–24 in)
Wingspan: 70–86 cm (28–34 in)
Weight: 28.2 to 47.6 oz (800 to 1,350 g)
Ruddy Duck
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Ruddy Duck is a medium-sized diving duck that’s native to North America. They’re known for their ruddy, or reddish-brown coloration as well as bright blue bills, which is most prominent during the breeding season. It has a white breast and white stripe on its face.
Ruddy Ducks are omnivorous, eating plants and insects as well as fish and small animals. It eats insects, grains, seeds, and aquatic plants. They are monogamous animals; they mate for life and have one clutch per year of 4-6 eggs that hatch after 25 days.
Ruddy Ducks frequently move in small groups of 5–15 birds at night. They’re also very sociable animals.
Ruddy Ducks live in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, and swamps. They are migratory birds that spend the winter in South America.
Ruddy Ducks are typically found in freshwater lakes and marshes during the breeding season (April through August), but they can also be seen on rivers or coasts during migration or wintering months (October through February).
Scientific Name: Oxyura jamaicensis
Length: 13.8-16.9 in (35-43 cm)
Wingspan: 22.1-24.4 in (56-62 cm)
Weight: 10.6-30.0 oz (300-850 g)
Surf Scoter
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The Surf Scoter is a medium-sized sea duck black head, a colorful bill and white patches on the nape and forehead. They are “molt migrants,” meaning they migrate to an area where they may molt their flying feathers after nesting.
The Surf Scoter is an excellent swimmer, with webbed feet that allow it to dive after fish. They are able to dive deep into the ocean to find food, but they can only stay underwater for about 1 minute before having to come up for air.
The Surf Scoter’s diet consists of fish such as sand eels, anchovies, capelin, smelt, and herring. At times they can also feed on crustaceans such as krill or shrimp. It uses its bill to filter out small organisms from the water as it swims along the surface of the ocean.
The Surf Scoter breeds on Arctic coasts from Greenland to Alaska, but most populations migrate south to winter off California and Mexico. They can also be found along the coastlines of South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Scientific Name: Melanitta perspicillata
Length:
Male: 48 cm (19 in)
Female: 44 cm (17 in)
Wingspan: 29.9-30.3 in (76-77 cm)
Weight:
Male: 1,050 g (2.31 lb)
Female: 900 g (2.0 lb)
White-cheeked Pintail
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The White-cheeked Pintail is a common duck that can be found in parks and ponds throughout the United States. They can be found across Canada and the northern U.S., as well as Mexico and Central America into South America.
They are light brown on the upper parts of their body and white on the lower parts. The male has an orange-yellow patch on both sides of his face that extends to the front of his head.
White cheeks typically live in freshwater marshes and swamps throughout North America. It prefers shallow water habitats with lots of vegetation cover but will also live in brackish water where there are no other suitable habitats available to it.
They feed primarily on seeds, aquatic plants, and insects. They tend to be found in pairs or small groups in the winter months but can form large flocks during migration season.
Scientists estimate there are more than 1 million White-cheeked Pintails in North America today making this species one of the most common ducks in North America today.
Scientific Name: Anas bahamensis
Height: 20in (51cm)
Wingspan: 60 – 68 cm.
Weight: 503 – 569 g
White-winged Scoter
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The White-winged Scoter is classified as an “oceanic” bird because it spends most of its time in marine waters. They have white feathers on their wings and are named after the white patch on their back. It is a medium-sized duck that has a black head, neck, and upper body, with a white breast and belly. The rest of its plumage is dark brown.
They feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, and fish, which they find by sweeping their bills side to side through the water in search of prey. When this happens, you’ll hear them make a loud clacking noise with their bills—which is how they got their name “scoter”.
It prefers to make its home near the coastlines of North America, Europe, and Asia. They can be found in large groups of other waterfowl but prefer to keep themselves separate from them.
They are migratory birds that make seasonal journeys between northern Canada and Mexico each spring/summer season before returning south for the winter months (December through April).
Scientific Name: Melanitta deglandi
Length: 18.9-22.8 in (48-58 cm)
Wingspan: 31.5 in (80 cm).
Weight: 33.5-63.5 oz (950-1800 g)
Wood Ducks
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The Wood Duck is a medium-sized duck that has a long body, a short neck, and a large head. It has black plumage with white patches on its wings and tail, as well as its bill. It also has a bright red patch of skin at the base of its bill.
Male wood ducks have a series of white strips on their shiny green heads. Additionally, the male wood duck is known for its chestnut breast and colorful plumage.
The female wood duck has a blue patch on the wing.
The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is a member of the Anatidae family and is native to North America. It ranges from southern Canada all the way down to Panama.
These small to medium-sized ducks are omnivores meaning they eat both plants such as cherries and grapes, aquatic plants such as pondweeds and water lilies, and animals but are mainly insectivores feeding on small invertebrates such as insects and worms.
They live in wooded areas near water sources like ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and swamps. They live in large flocks during the breeding season and then move to smaller groups during migration or winter. Interestingly, female wood ducks lay 10-11 eggs per clutch.
The population of the wood duck was in serious decline in the late 19th century as a result of severe habitat loss and market hunting both for meat and plumage for the ladies’ hat market in Europe. By the beginning of the 20th century, wood ducks had virtually disappeared from much of their former range.
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Height: 47 to 54 cm (19 to 21 in) ( or 1.5 feet max.)
Wingspan: 66 to 73 cm (26 to 29 in)
Weight: 454-862 g (16.0-30.4 oz)
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
Canvasback
Canvasbacks are large diving ducks that have a dark head and neck and a white body and are found all over the Northern Hemisphere.
Scientific Name: Aythya valisineria
Height: 48–56 cm (19–22 in)
Wingspan: 79–89 cm (31–35 in)
Weight: 862–1,600 g (1.900–3.527 lb)
Canvasback Description
The Canvasback makes a royal appearance. The male’s white back and flanks reminded English settlers of canvas fabric, hence the name. With a chestnut red head and flashing crimson eyes, the drake (male) is a striking appearance. The females are striking as well with their pale brown bodies.
It is a medium-sized duck that is easily recognizable by its distinct head pattern. Its bill is mostly orange with a black tip, and it has a dark brown head and neck. Its has a pale gray body with black speckles on the wings, back, and sides.
Canvasback Sound
Canvasback Habitat & Range
The habitat of the canvasback includes lakes and ponds in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Canvasbacks breed in North America’s Prairie Pothole Region. They like to build their nests above water in permanent Prairie wetlands with emergent plants such as cattails and bulrushes for protection.
Canvasback
Canvasback Diet
The canvasback is a versatile feeder that can consume plants ranging in size from tiny strands to large leafy growths. It has been seen feeding upon countless species of aquatic vegetation, including pond weeds and wild celery as well! The bird also takes interest in snails or other mollusks for food sources not related directly with waterfowl production- think gastropods (slugs & snail shells) insects , small fish – which it may catch while hunting its own kind underwater among foliage near shallow coastal waters where these animals breed.
Canvasback Nesting
They nest in tree cavities and will lay anywhere from 8-15 eggs. The female incubates the eggs for 28-30 days while the male sits on them to keep them warm. When they hatch they are able to swim immediately!
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)
Green-winged Teal
This duck breeds across northern North America. They are also known as “green wings” or “bluebills”. For a long time, it was believed conspecific with the Eurasian teal, but it has subsequently been classified as a separate species. Both sexes have a green patch on their wings.
Scientific Name: Anas crecca
Height: 12.2-15.3 in (31-39 cm)
Wingspan: 20.5-23.2 in (52-59 cm)
Weight: 4.9-17.6 oz (140-500 g)
Description
This duck has an olive-brown back, a white breast, and a brown head with a white stripe above the eye. The male has a green speculum (the outer web of feathers on the wings) that extends from his shoulders to his tail. The female’s speculum is more subdued than that of the male; it appears as a pale buff color, not greenish like the male’s.
Green-winged Teal Sound
Habitat & Range
This duck has been introduced into many parts of Europe and Asia where it has become an invasive species due to its ability to adapt to new environments quickly. As a result, it is now considered one of the world’s most invasive birds according to BirdLife International’s Global Invasive Species Database (GISD).
Green-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal Diet
In the winter months, they eat seeds, grains, and insects but during the summer months they switch over to eating aquatic plants like pondweeds, watercress, and duckweed which make up about 70% of their diet.
Green-winged Teal Nesting
The Green-winged teal nests on the ground near water sources such as streams or ponds. The female lays between 7-15 eggs per clutch (which means cluster) which incubate for 25 days before hatching out into ducklings!
Redhead (Aythya americana)
Redhead
The redhead duck is one of the most striking birds in North America. They are easily recognizable by their bright orange-red heads and chests, which contrast sharply with their pale grey bodies. Redheads are also known for their distinctive call, which sounds like a high-pitched whistle.
Scientific Name: Aythya americana
Length: 37 cm (15 in)
Wingspan: 84 cm (33 in)
Weight: 2.0 to 2.5 lbs
Redhead Description
Redhead Ducks are a common sight at the pond. They have a red head and white body, with some gray feathers on their wings. They are about the size of a mallard duck, but have shorter legs and a longer bill. Females have greyish brown plumage.
Redhead Sound
Redhead Habitat & Range
Redheads can be found throughout North America, with the exception of southern Mexico and parts of the southeastern United States. They are most common in coastal areas and large rivers. In fact, many people mistake them for musk ducks when they see them in freshwater habitats. Redheads tend to prefer shallow waters with plenty of vegetation near shorelines or riverbanks instead of deeper water where musk ducks tend to prefer staying put.
Redhead Range Map credit: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/
Redhead Diet
The redhead diet mainly consists of plant matter such as seeds, berries, shoots and buds from aquatic plants such as pondweed or cattails as well as insects such as dragonflies or small fish like minnows or smelt.
Redhead Nesting
The Redhead Duck lives on a diet of seeds and aquatic plants as well as insects and small fish. The female Redhead Duck lays between 8-12 eggs per clutch, which she then incubates for 28 days before they hatch. The male Redhead Duck will stay nearby while she is incubating her eggs and will care for them once they hatch by leading them to water where they can find food to eat.
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
Ring-necked Ducks
This duck has a bright orange bill with a black tip and an olive-green head with a black mask across its eyes and down its beak. Its neck is white and speckled with gray, brown, or black patches. The rest of its body is grayish-brown to dark brown.
Scientific Name: Aythya collaris
Height: 15.3-18.1 in (39-46 cm)
Wingspan: 24.4-24.8 in (62-63 cm)
Weight: 17.3-32.1 oz (490-910 g)
Description
The Ring-necked Duck is a duck that you can find in the United States and Canada, as well as in parts of Mexico.
They are omnivorous so they also eat seeds and grains when they’re available too. They eat grasses, insects such as beetles and dragonflies when they’re available, seeds, and other types of plants like duckweed, water lilies, pondweeds, and grasses that grow along water edges or in open water areas.
Ring-necked Duck Sound
Ring-necked Duck Habitat & Range
It can be found throughout North America, Central America, and northern South America. It breeds in freshwater marshes, ponds, lakes, and streams. They’re also known to breed in saltwater marshes.
They use their bills to eat these things from the bottom of the lake or pond. They also swim underwater when they eat food. It prefers freshwater marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and estuaries near forest edges where trees provide nesting sites for the ducklings.
Ring-necked Duck Range Map credit: https://perceviaassets.azurewebsites.net/
Ring-necked Duck Diet
They feed on aquatic plants like pondweed as well as insects and other invertebrates. They will also eat small crustaceans such as crabs or shrimp if they can find them in their habitat.
Ring-necked Duck Nesting
During breeding season (which is usually in April or May), males will form flocks on the water while females lay eggs in nests made from grasses near shorelines or floating on debris near shorelines where there are no predators present to threaten their young hatchlings.
Where to Watch Ducks in FL?
These are the popular spots for waterfowl watching in Florida:
Great Florida Birding Trail
Watching ducks on the Great Florida Birding Trail is one of the best things to do in the state. Ducks thrive in the diverse habitats of the trail, which spans from the Panhandle to the Keys.
The Great Florida Birding Trail offers more than just opportunities to see ducks in their natural habitat.
Both novices and experienced birders will enjoy the educational programs and ranger-led tours at many of the sites on the trail.
J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 200 species of birds, and its freshwater marshes and mangrove forests provide essential habitats for many of these species. The refuge is a great place to see a variety of different ducks.
In addition, the refuge offers many opportunities for bird-watching, including ranger-led tours and designated bird-watching areas.
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park is home to a variety of ducks, including Mallards and other duck species.
In addition to being able to see a wide variety of ducks, the Myakka River State Park also offers great opportunities for bird-watching and photography.
Are There Any Resident Ducks in Florida?
Yes, there are resident ducks in the state of Florida. The most common species are mallard ducks, mottled ducks and black-bellied whistling ducks.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, these species can be found in various habitats, including freshwater marshes, lakes, ponds and even urban areas.
Despite not being native to Florida, these ducks play an essential role in the ecosystem there. As well as providing food for predators, they control mosquito populations and disperse seeds.
Duck Hunting in Florida
Yes, you can hunt ducks in Florida. The state has a variety of laws and regulations governing duck hunting, so make sure you read up on them before heading out.
In general, you’ll need a hunting license and a permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Hunting License
Florida Waterfowl Permit
No-Cost Migratory Bird Permit
Federal Duck Stamp
Management Area Permit (when hunting on WMA)
Quota Permit (when hunting on WMA)
You’ll also need to be familiar with the bag limits, which vary depending on the species of duck.
Can You Shoot Ducks in Florida?
You can shoot ducks in Florida as long as the shots are approved by the Fish and Wildlife Service. These include non-toxic shots such as steel, bismuth-tin or tungsten-polymer. You cannot use lead shots when hunting waterfowl, as it can harm the birds and the environment.
Where Can I Hunt Ducks in Florida?
These are the best duck hunting spots in Florida:
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR)
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) offers excellent duck hunting in Florida. From puddle ducks to divers, MINWR’s 140,000 acres of land and water attract migrating waterfowl. There are also multiple water-control impoundments at the refuge that provide ducks with a habitat.
Saltwater has been primarily flushed out with heavy rainfall in recent years, improving hunting conditions.
Despite this, only a few permits are available for hunting at MINWR, and they have highly sought after.
Guana River Wildlife Management Area
Guana River Wildlife Management Area provides plenty of hiding and stalking opportunities for wildlife as a marshy area. The area is also home to many ducks, including teal, wood ducks, and mallards.
T.M. Goodwin WMA
T.M. Goodwin WMA is located in near the Upper St. Johns River Basin. The WMA consists of over 6,270 acres of freshwater marshes and cypress swamps. Ducks can be found in all areas of the WMA, but the best hunting is typically near the lake.
Final Thoughts on Ducks in Florida
Sunshine and beaches are probably the first things that come to mind when you think of Florida. Wetlands, swamps, and marshes are also found in the state.
Waterfowl watching and duck hunting in Florida are excellent because these habitats are perfect for many duck species.
As a result of the warm climate and the large bodies of water, many duck species have a safe place to nest and raise their young.
Additionally, Florida has strict hunting regulations that help maintain a healthy duck population.
Consequently, duck hunters and bird watchers can enjoy a rewarding and challenging experience while preserving Florida’s natural heritage at the same time.
