LIST: All about the ducks you may find in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With how many species of this familiar waterfowl live in or migrate through the state, you could say Virginia is for duck lovers.

From diving ducks to sea ducks to dabbling ducks, over 30 species of duck have been observed across the Commonwealth, according to a field list from the Virginia Society of Ornithology (VSO), which was last updated in April.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the many species of duck you may spot while exploring Virginia. Additional information on each species is provided by Cornell University's Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Black-bellied whistling-duck

A Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis, stretching in a marsh. South Padre Island Birding Center, Texas. (Photo: Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The black-bellied whistling-duck is described as a "boisterous duck with a brilliant pink bill and an unusual, long-legged silhouette." If you're interested in finding one, keep an ear out for their whistle, as this bird most definitely lives up to its name.

According to the Cornell Lab, these ducks are most often found in southern U.S. states, but are expanding northward.

The VSO considers this duck species a rare find in Virginia -- meaning it is "so scarce [in the state] that it cannot be expected with any certainty, or [it] exists [in the state] in a very specific and extremely limited habitat."

Fulvous whistling-duck

Fulvous Whistling-Duck. Photo taken in Picardy, France. (Photo: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The fulvous whistling-duck is described as a duck with a rich caramel-brown and black coloring, with long legs and a long neck. According to the Cornell Lab, they are very fond of rice fields, where they can find food and enjoy an "optimal water depth for these gangly birds."

In America, this whistling-duck is most often found in central Florida, coastal Texas and Louisana wherever you can find rice fields. They also enjoy crayfish fonds and flooded pastures.

The VSO considers this duck species a rare find in Virginia.

Wood duck

A male (drake) Wood duck or Carolina duck (Aix sponsa) swimming on Yellow Lake, Sammamish, King County, Washington State, USA. (Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The wood duck is described as "one of the most stunningly pretty of all waterfowl," according to the Cornell Lab, which uses words like "iridescent" and "elegant" to describe this species.

This dabbling duck uses its strong claws -- a rare trait among ducks -- to grip tree bark and perch on branches. They are most often found in swamps, tucked into the holes of trees or in nest boxes around lakes.

Wood ducks can be found throughout the continental U.S., with many of them calling Virginia their home year-round.

Blue-winged teal

A Blue-winged Teal swims at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands on March 27, 2024 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Blue-winged teal is described as a tiny dabbling duck that's fond of small ponds and wetlands.

This duck species is a long-distant migrant, with its appearances in Virginia largely credited to when it's passing through, destined for more northern localities.

According to the Cornell Lab, it's one of the last duck species to begin northern migration in the spring and the first to return south in the fall.

Northern shoveler

Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata, male, Cley, Norfolk. (Photo: David Tipling/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The northern shoveler is described as a dabbling duck with a large spoon-shaped bill that it uses to "busily [forage] head down in shallow wetlands." The comblike projections on its bill help it filter out the water it sifts through, removing tiny crustaceans and seeds.

"If the bill doesn’t catch your eye, the male's blocky color palette sure will, with its bright white chest, rusty sides and green head," the Cornell Lab said. "The female is no less interesting with a giant orange bill and mottled brown plumage."

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This duck species migrates through the western half of Virginia, while nonbreeding ducks spend time in the eastern half.

In this context, "nonbreeding" ducks are either ducks during their winter, non-mating period, or ducks who do not breed. The latter can include juveniles, older ducks or ducks who are taking time off from breeding.

Eurasian wigeon

Eurasian wigeons (Mareca penelope) swim on Hersek Lagoon in Bursa, Turkiye on February 23, 2024. (Photo: Alper Tuydes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Eurasian wigeon is described as a dabbling duck species that can mostly be spotted near its close relative, the American Wigeon, in lakes and ponds.

"Males stand out by virtue of their gray bodies, bright rufous-brown heads and buffy-cream forecrowns," the Cornell Lab said. "Both species feed by dabbling in the water and dunking the head, tail up, to reach plant matter and other food underwater."

This duck species is a long-distant migrant that is very rarely spotted in North America.

The VSO considers this duck species a rare find in Virginia.

American wigeon

American Wigeon, Anas Americana, New Mexico, USA. (Photo: David Tipling/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The American wigeon, much like the Eurasian wigeon, is also a dabbling duck species -- but the Cornell Lab says this particular duck has "pizazz." They are described as a noisy bunch with a "breezy whistle."

"Breeding males have a green eye patch and a conspicuous white crown, earning them the nickname 'baldpate,'" the Cornell Lab added.

These ducks can be found throughout North America, with most of Virginia considered a part of its migratory path. Nonbreeding American wigeons do spend time in the tidewater region.

Mallard

Mallards walk on ice that covers a lake in a local park on a sunny day in winter, Ivano-Frankivsk, western Ukraine. (Photo: Yurii Rylchuk / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

"If someone at a park is feeding bread to ducks, chances are there are Mallards in the fray," the Cornell Lab said.

The beloved mallard duck is described as "perhaps the most familiar of all ducks," able to be found throughout North America and Eurasia. You can find these ducks easily in city or suburban parks, or in nearby ponds or lakes.

The Cornell Lab added that most domestic ducks are mallards.

American black duck

An American Black Duck bathes in a small pond adjacent to Nickerson Beach on July 14, 2024 in Lido Beach, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The American black duck is described as a "shy but common duck" that enjoys the company of mallards.

"They often flock with the ubiquitous Mallard, where they look quite similar to female Mallards," the Cornell Lab said. "But take a second look through a group of brown ducks to notice the dark chocolate-brown flanks, pale grayish face, and olive-yellow bill of an American Black Duck."

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You can find the American Black duck throughout the east coast of America. This species calls some of eastern Virginia its home year-round, while the rest of the state is called home by nonbreeding ducks.

Northern pintail

Male Pintail duck - Anas acuta - and female behind on the lake Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, England, UK. (Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images)

The northern pintail is described as an "elegant" dabbling duck species that's fond of wetlands and lakes, where they swim "with their slender necks and long, pointed tails held high."

According to the Cornell Lab, these ducks can often be found in National Wildlife Refuges, or wandering through agricultural fields eating grains in the winter. They tend to forage in large groups.

Nonbreeding northern pintails will spend time in eastern Virginia, while the western half is part of their migratory path.

Green-winged teal

Green-winged teal (Anas crecca), male. (Photo: Arterra/Sven Erik Arndt/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The "little" green-winged teal is the smallest of all dabbling ducks in North America, according to the Cornell Lab.

This duck is very common across all of the United States, where it spends a lot of time in marshlands.

"Look for them on shallow ponds and in flooded fields -- and listen for the male’s decidedly non-ducklike whistle," the Cornell Lab said.

Nonbreeding green-winged teals can be found throughout most of the state of Virginia, though a small northwestern portion will typically only see them during migration.

Canvasback

USA, Washington State, Skagit Valley, Canvasback (Aythya valisineria). (Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The canvasback duck is described as "the aristocrat of ducks," as "the Canvasback holds its long sloping forehead high with a distinguished look."

This diving duck is known to eat plant tubers along the bottoms of lakes and wetlands. According to the Cornell Lab, they are typically found in large groups on open water.

The most eastern portion of Virginia is the place to spot nonbreeding canvasbacks, while the rest of the state is in their migratory path.

Redhead

A redhead duck is seen at the Uluabat Lake during the World Water Day in Karacabey district of Bursa, Turkiye on March 22, 2023. (Photo: Alper Tuydes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

"With a gleaming cinnamon head setting off a body marked in black and business gray, adult male Redheads light up the open water of lakes and coastlines," the Cornell Lab said.

The redhead duck is described as a "sociable" diving duck species that prefers to travel in large flocks.

The western half of Virginia is in their migratory path, while nonbreeding redheads can be found in the eastern portion.

Ring-necked duck

A male Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris) is swimming on Yellow Lake, Sammamish, King County, Washington State, USA. (Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The ring-necked duck is described as a diving duck species with a "distinctive, peaked head." According to the Cornel Lab, it prefers shallow wetlands like beaver swamps, bays and ponds.

"Of all the diving duck species, the Ring-necked Duck is most likely to drop into small ponds during migration," the Cornell Lab said.

The most western portion of Virginia is in the ring-necked ducks' migratory path, while nonbreeding ducks can be found throughout the rest of the state.

Greater scaup

A greater scaup. (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The greater scaup is described as the "only circumpolar diving duck" -- or the only diving duck known to breed at extremely high latitudes. Hundreds and thousands can be found throughout both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts in the wintertime.

"They look remarkably similar to the Lesser Scaup, with only slight differences in head shape: the Greater Scaup has a rounded head, the Lesser Scaup a peaked head," the Cornell Lab said.

Nonbreeding greater scaups are scarcely found in Virginia, according to the Cornell Lab.

Lesser scaup

A lesser scaup. (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The lesser scaup, known to frequent large lakes, reservoirs and reservoirs, is known to congregate in large groups that "just look like floating mats of vegetation on the water."

"The devilishly similar Greater Scaup often joins the group too, but the Lesser Scaup wears a tiny peaked hat that sits towards the back of the head, unlike the Greater Scaup's rounded head," the Cornell Lab said.

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Most of Virginia is in the lesser scaup's migratory path, but nonbreeding ducks can be found in the Tidewater region.

King eider

King eider (Somateria spectabilis) male in pond on tundra, Svalbard/Spitsbergen. (Photo: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"Among the waterfowl of the world, none is more ornately adorned than the male King Eider, its black-and-white plumage accented by a red-and-orange bill, pearl-blue crown and spring-green cheek," the Cornell Lab said.

The King eider prefers the tundras of the far north, where this diving duck forages for shellfish. When it's not spending time in the Arctic, you may catch a glimpse of these birds as far south as Alaska, New England and the Great Lakes.

The VSO considers this duck species a rare find in Virginia.

Common eider

Common eider duck (Somateria mollissima) male / drake in breeding plumage flapping wings along the North Sea coast in winter. (Photo: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The common eider is described as "a bird of the cold north with a warm reputation," as its down is very insulating. According to the Cornell Lab, it's often harvested not directly from the birds, but from their nests.

Common eiders are the largest of all Northern Hemisphere sea ducks. Like the King eider, they are diving ducks who prefer shellfish, which they forage for in rocks along ocean shores with "long, chisel-like bills."

They are also found in much the same areas as the King eider -- mostly northern tundras, but also as low as southern Alaska and New England.

The VSO considers this duck species a rare find in Virginia.

Harlequin duck

Harlequin duck / painted duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) pair, male / drake and female swimming in shallow water in summer. (Photo: Sven-Erik Arndt/Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"The aptly named Harlequin Duck is one of the most spectacular species of waterfowl in North America, not only for the male’s striking plumage but for the dramatic landscapes that the duck calls home," the Cornell Lab said.

Fond of whitewater rivers and rocky coasts, the Harlequin duck is a species of diving duck that's known to live a rough-and-tumble life. According to the Cornell Lab, Harlequin ducks regularly break bones as they are tossed around in rough waters.

These ducks are most easily spotted in the winter along the Pacific Northwest and Northeast Atlantic coasts.

The VSO considers this duck species a rare find in Virginia.

Surf scoter

A surf scoter swims in a rehabilitation pool at the International Bird Rescue center in Fairfield, Calif. on Saturday, March 21, 2015. (Photo: Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The surf scoter, otherwise known as the "old skunkhead," is a diving duck species whose males have distinctive black-and-white patches on their heads.

"In winter, look for these dark-bodied ducks (and the browner females) near to shore, defying ocean waves with a quick dive just before they break," the Cornell Lab said.

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During the winter, these ducks can be found in the mid-eastern portion of Virginia.

White-winged scoter

A white-winged scoter. (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The white-winged scoter is described as the largest of the scoter variety, with its males sporting "a dashing, upturned comma of white" around its eyes and a bright orange-tipped bill.

This sea-faring duck dives for its food, enjoying a diet of seafood, such as mussels. According to the Cornell Lab, white-winged scoters are known to hold their breath for a minute or more while foraging.

White-winged scoters have been spotted along Virginia's coast during the winter.

Black scoter

A black scoter. (Photo: U.S. Geological Survey)

The black scoter is described as a seaduck whose males are a "stark velvety black" with a "bright pumpkin-orange knob at the base of its bill," which makes it "distinctive at almost any distance."

According to the Cornell Lab, this ocean-loving duck prefers to eat marsh insects in the summer and to dive for mussels in the winter.

"This is one of the most vocal of waterfowl, and flocks can often be located by the males’ incessant crooning, a wistful, descending whistle evocative of the lonesome seacoasts they occupy during winter," the Cornell Lab said.

Nonbreeding black scoters can be found along Virginia's coast.

Long-tailed duck

A long-tailed duck swims on the water of Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada on February 26, 2024. (Photo: Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The long-tailed duck is described by the Cornell Lab with words like "attractive" and "stunning" -- which makes the fact that their population is considered in steep decline even more troubling.

This diving duck breeds in the high Arctic, then enjoys ocean coasts during the wintertime. They're known to dive as far as 200 feet, using their wings to swim as they catch aquatic invertebrates and small fish.

The Cornell Lab added that the long-tailed duck spends three to four times more time underwater than they do on the surface -- the most of any diving duck species.

You can find nonbreeding long-tailed ducks on Virginia's coast.

Bufflehead

A male bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) duck is swimming on Yellow Lake, Sammamish, King County, Washington State, USA. (Photo:Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The small bufflehead duck is described as a "buoyant, large-headed duck that abruptly vanishes and resurfaces as it feeds."

According to the Cornell Lab, this diving duck likes to nest in old woodpecker holes in northern North American forests. They're especially fond of those made by Northern Flickers -- though they're known to take up residence in the holes of Pileated Woodpeckers, too.

Buffleheads are common across North America. During the winter, buffleheads can be spotted throughout most of Virginia, with a small portion of the state's western border considered part of their migratory path.

Common goldeneye

A Common Goldeneye (male, Bucephala clangula) in the Kersdorfer See nature reserve in the Oder-Spree district of East Brandenburg. (Photo: Patrick Pleul/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The common goldeneye is described as a distinctively shaped duck that sports a large head, which is colored a pretty green-black on males.

Like the bufflehead duck, the common goldeneye also likes to nest in trees -- though it's less choosy with the type of tree cavity it will make its home. According to the Cornell Lab, boreal forests are where you'll have the most luck spotting them -- especially along large rivers, lakes and the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts during wintertime.

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This duck can be found throughout most of the United States. In Virginia, you can spot nonbreeding common goldeneyes all across the state.

Hooded merganser

Hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) adult male in breeding plumage flapping wings in lake, native to the United States and Southern Canada. (Photo: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"'Hooded' is something of an understatement for this extravagantly crested little duck," the Cornell Lab said.

The hooded merganser with its iconic head is "a sight to behold." This diving duck is a fairly common species, fond of small ponds and rivers, where it dives for seafood like fish and crayfish. According to the Cornell Lab, their foraging efforts are aided by their thin, serrated bills.

They also like to nest in tree cavities, where "[their] ducklings depart with a bold leap to the forest floor when only one day old."

The hooded merganser can be found year-round in Virginia.

Common merganser

A female common merganser swims with her chicks on the Eisbach in the English Garden. (Photo: Peter Kneffel/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The common merganser is described as a diving duck species that "[floats] gracefully down small rivers or shallow shorelines." It's got a variety of other names, such as "sawbill," "fish duck" and "goosander," according to the Cornell Lab.

This is another duck that likes to nest in tree cavities, typically ones made by large woodpeckers.

The northern tip of Virginia, as well as its most eastern shore, is where you'll find nonbreeding common mergansers.

Red-breasted merganser

Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator) male swimming in winter, Germany. (Photo by: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The red-breasted merganser is described as "a shaggy-headed diving duck" that, like the common merganser, is sometimes called a "sawbill." It, alongside both other merganser species on this list, makes use of its serrated bill when foraging, according to the Cornell Lab.

It prefers boreal forests for breeding, particularly those around freshwater, as well as saltwater wetlands.

"Red-breasted Mergansers need to eat 15 to 20 fish per day, which researchers suggest means they need to dive underwater 250 to 300 times per day or forage for 4 to 5 hours to meet their energy needs," the Cornell Lab said.

All of Virginia falls within this diving duck's migratory path, though nonbreeding red-breasted mergansers can be found along the state's shore.

Ruddy duck

Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) male flapping wings in pond, stiff-tailed duck native to North America. (Photo: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The ruddy duck is described as a "compact, thick-necked waterfowl with seemingly oversized tails that [it] habitually [holds] upright."

According to the Cornell Lab, this diving duck species lays the largest egg relative to body size of any duck species. This is on top of the "cartoonishly bold" mating practices of male ruddy ducks who, according to the Cornell Lab, are known to beat their bills against their necks as hard as they can to create swirls of bubbles to impress their desired mate.

Ruddy ducks are common throughout North America. Most of Virginia is within this duck's migratory path -- though nonbreeding ruddy ducks can be found within a small southeastern portion of the state.

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Each of the 29 species listed above has six or more accepted, recorded sightings over the past fifty years, according to the VSO.

The following five species are suitably documented as being seen in Virginia, but have not had six or more accepted sightings recorded in the last fifty years.

Cinnamon teal

A flock of Cinnamon teal ducks swim on a lake at the Pantanos de Villa (Villa's Swamps) national reserve, 20 km south of Lima, March 2, 2009. (Photo: ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP via Getty Images)

The cinnamon teal is described as a "gorgeous" duck whose males "shimmer." According to the Cornell Lab, their plumage is "made all the more incandescent by the summer sun."

This dabbling duck is an omnivore that prefers to spend its time in shallow wetlands.

The Cinnamon Teal prefers to spend its time in western North America, Mexico and South America -- the last of which is its own separate breeding population, which is a rare phenomenon among ducks.

Mottled duck

A Mottled Duck drake, Anas fulvigula, preening in the wetlands of the South Padre Island Birding Center in Texas. (Phot: Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics/ Universal Images Group via etty Images)

The mottled duck is described as "a rich brown duck with a lovely buff head and neck, a bright yellow bill and a distinctive black spot at the gape."

It's easily confused with the mallard duck or the American black duck due to their many similarities -- which the Cornell Lab said is due to the fact that they're all closely related.

This dabbling duck species is considered of high conservation concern.

"They’re so closely related that hybridization, especially with Mallards, poses a real threat to the Mottled Duck’s future," the Cornell Lab explained, adding that this is particularly common in Florida.

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While their range is limited, mottled ducks are primarily found in places like Florida, coastal Louisiana and coastal Texas.

White-cheeked pintail

Two white-cheeked pintails. (Photo: U.S. Geological Survey)

The white-cheeked pintail is described by the University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web as a non-migratory dabbling duck species that prefers saltwater habitats like lagoons, bay shores, tidal regions and mangroves.

This dabbling duck mostly eats submerged plants, but it's also known to enjoy things like bark, nuts and algae.

According to the university, they are primarily found in Central and South America -- though they have been spotted along Florida's southern coast.

Tufted duck

A Tufted duck looks on at Stover Country Park on February 14, 2024 in Newton Abbot, United Kingdom. (Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images)

The tufted duck is described as "a diving duck with a little flair," referring to the tassel of feathers it sports on the back of its head.

"The male's is a dashing curl that echoes the curve of the head and complements his gleaming black-and-white plumage," the Cornell Lab said. "The female is browner with a shorter, wispier tuft."

Tufted ducks prefer to breed in shallow freshwater lakes, slow-moving rivers or park ponds. They forage for seafood like mussels and clams by diving.

You're most likely to find this species in Eurasia or some parts of Africa. If you do manage to spot this duck in North America, it will most likely be a lone tufted duck in the company of scaups or ring-necked ducks.

Barrow's goldeneye

Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) male and female swimming at sea, Iceland. (Photo: ARTERRA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Barrow's goldeneye is described as a "striking" duck, with males sporting "a row of white 'windows' along the shoulder."

This diving duck prefers to nest in tree cavities in boreal and montane forests. Muck like the common merganser, it prefers old woodpecker holes carved by either the Northern Flickers or Pileated Woodpeckers.

"In winter and spring, males gather around females to perform acrobatic courtship displays," the Cornell Lab said.

According to the VSO, this particular duck species' sightings have either been reported without or with insufficient physical evidence. However, written documentation from one or more observers has been accepted.

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For more information on ducks across Virginia, as well as virtually every other bird you may spot in the Commonwealth, check out the Virginia Society of Ornithology's website.