Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

A regulatory group covering ducks other than Harlequin Ducks; the sound sample represents a mallard.

Field guide

A regulatory group covering ducks other than Harlequin Ducks; the sound sample represents a mallard.

Identification

Shared features

Ducks vary widely; identify the actual species, sex and plumage before relying on a group label.

Male

Representative mallard: the breeding drake has a glossy green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast and yellow bill. In summer eclipse plumage he resembles a hen but usually retains a yellower bill.

Female

Representative mallard hens are mottled brown with an orange-and-dark bill and a blue wing patch bordered white. Other ducks in this regulatory group require their own species-specific identification.

Habitat

Marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes and feeding fields, depending on the member species and season.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, watch flights between roost water and feeding areas.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, scan sheltered water and wetland cover where many ducks rest or feed.

Evening

At dusk, watch return flights and feeding at shallow water; behavior varies by species.

Sounds

Duck voices vary; the representative mallard female gives familiar quacks.

Recorded calls

Mallard (representative duck)

Field recording of a mallard, representing this regulatory duck group. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

Jonathon Jongsma · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-Daily: not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye, not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal
-Possession: not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal

Daily: 6Possession: 18

Official bag-limit source