According to current data, there are around 120 to 130 recognized species of ducks! Now that there are a lot of ducks and thankfully due to popular media and old cartoons we are only acquainted with a few, mostly swans and white ducks that can be found in ponds.
But there are multiple species of ducks that inhabit different parts of the world and have different habitats altogether! Ducks may seem like cute and friendly animals, but they are quite majestic creatures because they can fly, walk, and swim.
That is quite an achievement when you think about it because only a few species of animals in the world have that capability. Having said that, you wouldn’t want to miss out on a chance to know more about these lovely creatures and how to identify their various species.
So let’s get on with it!!!
Table of Contents
Types of Duck Species
Ducks can be found all around the world except in Antarctica. Ducks can be found mostly near bodies of water such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams. Some ducks sleep in nests made of tall grass near a body of water while other times they sleep while floating in the water!
Ducks have different identifying features; some are more common than others, but there are a few points to note! Ducks mostly range between 30 to 50 centimeters and the largest species is the common Merganser.
Even in the same species, there can be a vast difference between the look of male and female ducks but here are a few major differences seen across all species of ducks.
| Duck Species | Characteristics | Habitat | Range | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mallard | Greenhead, yellow bill | Lakes, ponds, marshes | North America, Europe | 50-65 cm |
| Wood Duck | Colorful, crested head | Forested wetlands | North America | 47-54 cm |
| Northern Pintail | Long tail, slender neck | Marshes, wetlands | Worldwide | 51-63 cm |
| American Wigeon | Pinkish breast, blue bill | Ponds, grasslands | North America | 42-58 cm |
| Canvasback | Long, sloping profile | Large lakes, bays | North America | 48-56 cm |
| Gadwall | Gray body, black rump | Lakes, ponds, marshes | Worldwide | 46-56 cm |
| Northern Shoveler | Large spoon-shaped bill | Shallow wetlands | Worldwide | 43-58 cm |
| Common Goldeneye | Black and white plumage | Lakes, rivers | North America, Europe | 42-51 cm |
| Redhead | Redhead, gray body | Coastal bays, lakes | North America | 37-51 cm |
| Ring-necked Duck | Black head with a ring | Marshes, lakes | North America | 37-46 cm |
| American Black Duck | Dark brown with a pale throat | Marshes, coastal areas | North America | 48-58 cm |
| Common Merganser | Long, narrow bill | Rivers, lakes, coastal | North America, Europe | 58-72 cm |
| Hooded Merganser | Crested head, white sides | Forested lakes, rivers | North America | 40-49 cm |
| Lesser Scaup | Gray back, white sides | Lakes, coastal bays | North America | 41-48 cm |
| Bufflehead | Black and white plumage | Lakes, ponds, rivers | North America | 32-40 cm |
| Tufted Duck | Black with white sides | Lakes, ponds, coastal | Europe, Asia | 40-47 cm |
| Eurasian Wigeon | Rusty head, pink bill | Marshes, wetlands | Europe, Asia | 42-48 cm |
| Barrow’s Goldeneye | White spots on the face | Mountain lakes, rivers | North America | 40-51 cm |
| Ruddy Duck | Stiff tail, bright blue bill | Marshes, ponds, lakes | North and South America | 35-43 cm |
| Blue-winged Teal | Blue patch on the wing | Marshes, wetlands | North America | 30-40 cm |
Also read: Dove Identification Chart
Difference Between Male and Female Ducks?
Male and female ducks have a few major differences that can be easily spotted. Firstly male ducks have an upward-curled feather near the tail and this feather is highly noticeable and not found in female ducks.
Secondly, male ducks have a softer quack while females have a highly distinctive loud quack. Lastly, in most species, male ducks are more colorful than female ducks.
A similar pattern can also be seen in other birds such as peacocks where the male is more beautiful than the female. Male ducks are generally larger, more colorful, and vibrant while female ducks are smaller and more muted. Fun fact: female ducks are known as hens while male ducks are known as drakes.
| Feature | Male Ducks | Female Ducks |
|---|---|---|
| Plumage Color | Often vibrant with iridescent colors | Generally more muted, for camouflage |
| Head Color | Bright and colorful, often with distinctive markings | Typically duller with less distinct markings |
| Bill Color | Maybe brightly colored | Often duller than males, sometimes with an orange or brown tint |
| Size | Generally larger | Generally smaller |
| Tail Feathers | Curling or distinctive markings | Shorter, less pronounced |
| Voice | Often quack or raspier | Softer quack or quack-like sound |
| Behavior | Aggressive during the breeding season | More reserved, focused on nesting and brooding |
Also read: Gull Identification Chart
Baby Duck Identification
Baby ducklings are the most adorable forms of ducklings and for the most part, are easily recognizable. Most baby ducks have the typical small and fluffy body with large webbed feet.
The feather color can depend on species type but the size of ducklings is usually 10cm across all species. Baby ducks across all species generally eat small insects and aquatic life to nourish themselves
Before the 1 to 3-month mark ducklings do not have distinguishable gender differences and both male and female ducks look the same before then. Juvenile ducks start to develop plumage around the 1-3 month mark at which point the males and females become distinguishable from each other.
Fun fact, a group of ducklings is called a brood.
| Feature | Duckling Identification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Fluffy and downy with soft, often yellow or brownish plumage |
| Bill | Short and stubby, usually dark-colored |
| Eyes | Large and dark |
| Legs | Short and relatively thick, often orange or yellow |
| Behavior | Generally, stay close to the mother, and follow her closely |
| Swimming Ability | Float easily on water, may be seen swimming shortly after hatching |
| Feeding | Depend on the mother for food initially, feed on insects, small fish, and vegetation in water |
| Vocalization | Emit soft peeping sounds, used to communicate with the mother and siblings |
Also read: Duck Egg Identification Guide
How Do You Tell What Kind of Duck It Is?
If you are not an experienced duck connoisseur then it may be hard to distinguish between ducks but here are a few features that can help you tell what kind of duck it is. The first and most easily distinguishable factor is the size of the duck, this usually helps identify the gender of the duck.
Secondly, the shape of the duck and its plumage can help identify not only the gender but also the certain species of duck by its coloring and patterns. Voice is another major factor that can help identify a duck and its gender, male ducks have a softer voice while female ducks have a louder and more distinctive quack.
Lastly, the habitat of the duck can also tell you a lot about its species because even though all ducks live near water bodies the type of water body they live near can depend on the species of the duck.
Also read: Dove Identification Chart
Conclusion
It is simple to say that ducks are beautiful and majestic creatures. Being able to identify ducks is a good skill to have for anyone who is looking to pet a duck in a park or keep a few ducks in their backyards. Whatever your occupation or choice if you love ducks, being able to identify them clearly not only helps keep you safe but also helps keep the ducks safe.
So before you approach a duck near a pond again or try to feed a duckling, keep these points in mind and try to figure out what type of duck it is and treat it with the utmost care and respect possible!