North Carolina is a diverse state with a rich history and culture. One of the fascinating aspects of North Carolina’s natural heritage is its abundance of ducks. These beautiful waterfowl are an essential part of the state’s ecosystem and play a significant role in the state’s hunting traditions.
North Carolina Ducks come in different species, sizes, and colors. They can be found throughout the state in various habitats such as swamps, lakes, rivers, ponds, and coastal areas. Some popular ducks found in North Carolina include mallards, wood ducks, pintails, teal ducks, and canvasbacks.
Duck hunting is an essential part of North Carolina’s cultural heritage. During duck season from November to January, hunters gather across the state for exciting hunts filled with adventure and camaraderie with fellow athletes.
Dabbling Ducks vs Diving Ducks:
When it comes to ducks, there are two main categories: dabbling ducks and diving ducks. Dabbling or puddle ducks are the more commonly seen of the two groups. They prefer shallow water where they can easily reach the bottom with their feet and tip their heads down to feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and insects.
Diving ducks, on the other hand, are designed for deeper waters. Their legs are situated farther back on their bodies, making them better suited to swim underwater. They also have larger webbed feet, which act like flippers allowing them to dive down in pursuit of fish, crustaceans, and other prey.
While both types of ducks can be found in many wetland environments throughout North America and beyond, each group has unique characteristics and behaviors that make them fascinating to observe.
American Black Duck (Dabbling Duck):
The American Black Duck (Anasrubripes) is a common dabbling duck found across North America, including in North Carolina. These ducks are medium-sized and have a distinct blackish-brown plumage that gives them their name. Along with their dark feathers, they also have a distinctive pale blue patch on their wings.
These Ducks can be found in various habitats throughout North Carolina, including wetlands, ponds, and rivers. They are omnivores and feed primarily on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and crustaceans. During the late winter to early summer breeding season, these ducks form pairs and build nests in dense vegetation near water bodies.
Despite being widespread throughout the state and country, American Black Ducks face several threats to their population. Habitat loss due to human development has caused a decline in their numbers over recent years.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AnasRubripes |
| Length | 21.3-23.2 inches |
| Weight | 25.4-57.9 ounces |
| Wingspan | 34.6-37.4 inches |
American Wigeon (Dabbling Duck):
The American Wigeon, also known as a Dabbling Duck, is a migratory bird found in North Carolina during winter. These ducks are easily distinguishable with their white forehead and green patch on their head, which makes them stand out among other species of ducks.
During the breeding season, they can be found in Alaska and Canada. However, they travel south to spend winters in North Carolina and other southern states. They prefer shallow wetlands such as marshes and ponds, where they feed on aquatic plants, small insects, crustaceans, and mollusks.
The American Wigeon has become an essential part of North Carolina’s ecosystem. Its presence brings joy to birdwatchers who flock to places like Lake Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge or Cape Hatteras National Seashore to see these beautiful birds up close.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | MarecaAmericana |
| Length | 14 inches |
| Weight | 2.25 pounds |
| Wingspan | 34 inches |
Blue-Winged Teal (Dabbling Duck):
The Blue-Winged Teal is a small dabbling duck commonly found in North Carolina during winter. These ducks migrate from their breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada to spend the winter in warmer climates like North Carolina. The Blue-Winged Teal is known for its striking blue wing patch, which contrasts beautifully with its chestnut head and white crescent-shaped mark on its face.
Blue-Winged Teals are social birds often congregate in large groups on North Carolina ponds, lakes, and marshes. They are active day and night, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and other small animals such as crustaceans and mollusks. Unlike other ducks that dive underwater to find food, Blue-Winged Teals prefer to dabble at the water’s surface with their bills.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AnasDiscors |
| Length | 16 inches |
| Weight | 13 ounces |
| Wingspan | 23 inches |
Bufflehead (Diving Duck):
Bufflehead, also known as the diving duck, is a small North American sea duck that breeds in Canada and Alaska. These ducks are known for their striking appearance with their black and white plumage and unique head shape. In North Carolina, buffleheads can be seen during the winter months when they migrate south to warmer waters.
During peak migration season, which typically occurs between November and February, buffleheads can be spotted along the coast of North Carolina in estuaries, bays, and other shallow water bodies. They are skilled divers and feed on small fish, crustaceans, and insects by diving into the water from the surface. This hunting behavior makes them a fascinating species to observe.
While not considered rare or endangered in North America, conservation efforts are essential to ensure their populations remain stable.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | BucephalaAlbeola |
| Length | 13-16 inches |
| Weight | 11-16 ounces |
| Wingspan | 22 inches |
Canvasback (Diving Duck):
Canvasbacks are a beautiful species of diving duck typically found in North Carolina’s coastal regions during the winter months. These ducks are easily recognizable with long, sloping bills and striking red eyes.
Canvasbacks prefer to feed on submerged vegetation such as wild celery, eelgrass, and widgeon grass. They will also consume mollusks, insects, and crustaceans when available. In North Carolina’s estuaries and marshes, canvasbacks are often seen foraging among other waterfowl like buffleheads and scaups.
Despite being a famous game bird for hunters due to their delicious meat, canvasback populations have declined in recent years due to habitat loss and degradation.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AythyaValisineria |
| Length | 13-16 inches |
| Weight | 2.5 pounds |
| Wingspan | 3 feet |
Common Goldeneye (Diving Duck):
The Common Goldeneye is a diving duck found in North Carolina throughout fall and winter. They are easily recognizable by their striking black and white plumage, with the males sporting distinctive green heads.
Common Goldeneyes are often found in large flocks on open water, such as lakes or rivers, where they dive for food. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, insects, and aquatic plants. During the breeding season, these ducks will migrate to northern regions of Canada and Alaska to mate.
Despite being common in North Carolina during the colder months, conservation efforts are still necessary to protect populations of this species. Habitat loss due to development and pollution remains a significant threat to these birds, along with hunting pressure in some areas.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | BucephalaClangula |
| Length | 16-20 inches |
| Weight | 1.8 pounds |
| Wingspan | 30.3-32.7 inches |
Gadwall (Dabbling Duck):
The Gadwall is one of the most common dabbling ducks in North Carolina. It has a distinctive appearance, with grayish-brown feathers and a black tail. Male Gadwalls have a white speculum on their wings that can be seen in flight or swimming with their wings outstretched.
These ducks can be found in various habitats throughout North Carolina, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. They also nest in wetlands and marshes during the breeding season. During migration, they may travel long distances to reach their wintering grounds.
Despite being common throughout North America, Gadwalls face habitat loss and hunting pressure threats. Conservation efforts have been put in place to protect these birds and ensure they thrive in their natural habitats.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | MarecaStrepera |
| Length | 18.1-22.4 inches |
| Weight | 17.6-44.1 ounces |
| Wingspan | 33.1 inches |
Greater Scaup (Diving Duck):
The Greater Scaup is a diving duck species found in North Carolina. These birds are known for their unique and striking appearance, with males featuring blackheads, white sides, and dark backs, while females have brown plumage. They are usually seen in shallow water areas such as bays, estuaries, and coastal lagoons.
North Carolina offers ideal habitat for the Greater Scaup during the winter months when they migrate south. They gather in large flocks and feed on aquatic plants and mollusks. It’s common to spot these ducks diving underwater to catch their prey, sometimes submerging for up to 30 seconds.
Despite being a common sight along the North Carolina coast during winter months, the population of the Greater Scaup has declined in recent years due to habitat loss and pollution.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AythyaMarila |
| Length | 15-22 inches |
| Weight | 1.5-2.9 pounds |
| Wingspan | 28-33 inches |
Green-Winged Teal (Dabbling Duck):
The green-winged Teal is one of the most miniature dabbling ducks found in North Carolina. They are easily identifiable by the striking green patches on their wings, which can be seen when they take flight. These ducks prefer shallow wetlands and marshes as their habitat.
During the breeding season, male Green-winged Teals have a distinct brownish-red head with a creamy white stripe across the face. Females, on the other hand, have a gray-brown authority with a dark eye patch. These ducks mainly feed on seeds and aquatic plants.
Although Green-winged Teals are common throughout North America during migration, they are only seen in certain parts of North Carolina during winter months. Their presence adds to this region’s natural beauty and allows birdwatchers to witness these beautiful birds up close.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AnasCarolinensis |
| Length | 12.2-15.3 inches |
| Weight | 4.9-17.6 ounces |
| Wingspan | 20.5-23.2 inches |
Hooded Merganser (Diving Duck):
The hooded Merganser (Lophodytescucullatus) is a small diving duck found in North Carolina’s freshwater rivers, lakes, and wetlands. It is one of the most miniature ducks in North America, measuring only 15-19 inches long with a wingspan of up to 27 inches. The male Hooded Merganser has a striking appearance with its black and white feather pattern and prominent crest on its head.
The Hooded Merganser feeds mainly on fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects by diving underwater. They are known for their excellent underwater vision and agility, allowing them to catch fast-moving prey easily. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays by expanding their crests, making them appear larger than they are.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | LophodytesCucullatus |
| Length | 15.8-19.3 inches |
| Weight | 16-31 ounces |
| Wingspan | 23.6-25 inches |
Lesser Scaup (Diving Duck):
The Lesser Scaup is a diving duck found in North Carolina. These ducks are known for their stunning black and white plumage and striking yellow eyes. They are also commonly referred to as “bluebills” due to the blue-gray coloring of their bills.
During the winter months, Lesser Scaups migrate down to North Carolina’s coastal waters from their breeding grounds in Canada. This makes them a famous sight for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. When they arrive, they can be seen swimming and diving for food, such as mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic plants.
Unfortunately, the population of Lesser Scaups has been declining over recent years due to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation groups have tried to protect these birds through initiatives such as wetland restoration projects and partnerships with local communities.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AythyaAffinis |
| Length | 15.3-18.1 inches |
| Weight | 16-38.4 ounces |
| Wingspan | 26.8-30.7 inches |
Mallard (Dabbling Duck):
Mallards are a common sight in North Carolina, where they can be found in wetlands, lakes, and even city parks. These dabbling ducks are easily recognizable by their striking green head feathers, contrasting with their brownish-gray bodies. The males have a distinctive yellow bill, and the females have an orange account.
During the breeding season from March to July, mallard pairs form monogamous bonds and build nests near water sources. Females lay up to 13 eggs in the nest and incubate them for around 28 days until they hatch. Once hatched, the ducklings are precocial – meaning they can move around on their own shortly after birth.
Despite being a familiar sight in North Carolina’s waterways, mallards face several challenges, including habitat loss due to development and pollution of water sources caused by human activities.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AnasPlatyrhynchos |
| Length | 20-26 inches |
| Weight | 1.5-3.5 pounds |
| Wingspan | 32-39 inches |
Northern Pintail (Dabbling Duck):
The Northern Pintail, also known as the Dabbling Duck, is a migratory bird found in North Carolina during winter. These beautiful birds are easily recognizable due to their long necks and pointed tails.
Their breeding habitat is in the northern areas of North America and Eurasia, but they migrate to southern regions during the winter months. They can be spotted in wetlands and marshes along the coast or inland waterways in North Carolina.
Northern Pintails are omnivores and feed on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and crustaceans. They have an unusual feeding behavior where they upend their bodies into shallow water to get food with their bills. This behavior has earned them the nickname “dabbling ducks.”
Due to habitat loss and hunting, populations of Northern Pintails have declined over recent years.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AnasAcuta |
| Length | 20-30 inches |
| Weight | 1-3 pounds |
| Wingspan | 20-30 inches |
Northern Shoveler (Dabbling Duck):
The Northern Shoveler, also known as the dabbling Duck, is a common resident of North Carolina’s wetlands and marshes. This species is easily recognizable with its unique long, spoon-shaped bill used for filter feeding. They are considered one of North America’s most abundant ducks.
During the breeding season, males can be identified by their strikingly colorful plumage, which includes a green head, rusty sides, and belly feathers with white breast feathers. Females have less distinctive coloration but can be recognized by their mottled brown bodies with a blue-gray bill. Northern Shovelers breed in shallow wetlands, building their nests among tall vegetation or on floating mats.
They feed primarily on seeds and aquatic vegetation but eat insects and crustaceans during breeding season when they need more protein for egg production.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | Spatula clypeata |
| Length | 19 inches |
| Weight | 1.3 pounds |
| Wingspan | 30 inches |
Red-Breasted Merganser (Diving Duck):
The Red-Breasted Merganser is a diving duck species that inhabit the coastal areas of North Carolina. This stunning bird is easily recognizable by its slender, pointed bill and striking black and white plumage. It can often be seen swimming in groups on the water’s surface or diving deep to catch small fish and crustaceans.
During the breeding season, male Red-Breasted Mergansers will display their vibrant red breast feathers as a mating ritual. They will also perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. These birds are a sight to behold for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
The Red-Breasted Merganser population in North Carolina is stable due to conservation efforts and habitat preservation. Visitors can observe these ducks year-round along the coast, but they are most commonly spotted during fall migration when large flocks gather before heading south for winter.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | MergusSerrator |
| Length | 20-24 inches |
| Weight | 2.3 pounds |
| Wingspan | 28-34 inches |
Redhead North Carolina Ducks(Diving Duck)
The Redhead is a diving duck species found in North Carolina, particularly during winter. These birds are easily recognizable thanks to their bright red heads and gray bodies. They are medium-sized ducks with a wingspan of around 30 inches and weigh between one and two pounds.
Redheads typically inhabit shallow freshwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, and marshes. During the breeding season, they migrate to the prairie regions of Canada and the United States, laying their eggs in nests made from grasses near water sources. However, many Redheads flock to North Carolina’s coastal plain region during winter for milder temperatures.
Interestingly, Redheads have been known to form large flocks with other diving duck species, such as Canvasbacks and Scaups.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AythyaAmericana |
| Length | 18-22 inches |
| Weight | 2-2.5 pounds |
| Wingspan | 33 inches |
Ring-Necked Duck (Diving Duck):
The Ring-Necked Duck (Aythyacollaris) is a diving duck species that belong to the family Anatidae. They are commonly found in North America, and their breeding habitat includes freshwater lakes and ponds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. During winter, they migrate southwards to the United States, including North Carolina.
These ducks are known for their distinctive ring around the necks of males. Females have brownish feathers with lighter-colored eye-ring. Both sexes have dark heads with a slight peak at the back of their head. The body is compact, with a rounded tail and wings that taper towards the tips.
Ring-Necked Ducks prefer deep water habitats where they can dive to feed on aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | AythyaCollaris |
| Length | 15.3-18.1 inches |
| Weight | 17.3-32.1 ounces |
| Wingspan | 24.4-24.8 inches |
Ruddy Duck (Diving Duck):
The Ruddy Duck is a diving duck species found in North Carolina during winter. These ducks are known for their distinctive blue bill and chestnut-colored body. They are typically found in shallow ponds and wetlands throughout the state, often in small groups.
During the breeding season, male Ruddy Ducks develop bright blue bills and striking white cheeks that distinguish them from females. Their courtship displays involve bobbing their heads and making soft calls to attract mates. Once paired up, these ducks build nests from grasses near water sources, laying around 9-10 eggs per clutch.
While they may not be as commonly seen as other duck species, the Ruddy Duck’s unique appearance and behaviors make them a fascinating sight for birdwatchers in North Carolina during the winter months.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | OxyuraJamaicensis |
| Length | 13.5-17 inches |
| Weight | 1.23 pounds |
| Wingspan | 18.5 inches |
Wood Duck (Dabbling Duck):
North Carolina is home to an impressive variety of waterfowl, and the Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is one of the most captivating species in the region. This dabbling Duck is a sight to behold with its bold coloring and striking markings, making it a popular target for birdwatchers and photographers alike. The Wood Duck exhibits a combination of both elegance and resilience, which only adds to its allure.
Wood Ducks are known for their unique appearance that sets them apart from other ducks in North America. They have iridescent green plumage on their heads and white stripes extending from their eyes. Females have a less flashy but equally stunning look with grey-brown feathers and distinctive white markings around the eye area.
Specifications:
| Scientific Name | Aix Sponsa |
| Length | 17-20 inches |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Wingspan | 28 inches |
Final Thoughts:
North Carolina ducks are an exciting and valuable species. They are both a source of food, a popular hunting game, and entertainment for bird watchers. Ducks play an essential role in the environment, helping to spread seeds and keep aquatic vegetation in check. We must continue to protect them and their habitats so that future generations can enjoy their beauty and the benefits they bring to our environment.
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