Duck Identification Chart - Full Colour illustrations and Descriptions

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Distribution: During the breeding season, they’re most common northwards from the Northumberland coast and off the west coast of Scotland. During the winter, their range expands to include areas along the east and south coasts, parts of the southwest coast and some areas of the Welsh coast. Nests of Northern Pintails are usually found in shallow hollows on the ground, close to a water source. They are made with grasses and feathers and serve as home to at least twelve eggs. Distribution: Mainly found in the Midlands, south-east of England, parts of Scotland’s east coast, eastern Northern Ireland and along the south and north coasts of Wales. Their range expands during winter to include Cornwall and North Devon, parts of Scotland’s west coast and larger areas of Northern Ireland.

The female is chocolate brown with paler flanks, and white underparts, and the crest is shorter. She also may have white patches around the base of the bill. The male in eclipse plumage looks like the female. They have a vibrant red bill, and solid patches of red, blue, green, white, and orange on different parts of their body.

What types of duck are there?

The greater snow goose is a slightly larger version of the white-phase lesser snow goose. No color dimorphism has been discovered in this race. In the field it is virtually impossible to tell these two apart. In the hand, the larger size and longer bill of the greater snow goose distinguish it from its smaller counterpart. The sexes are similar in appearance, but the female is often smaller. Also known as the Brazilian Teal, this species is unique in that both males and females have similar plumage. They have a greenish-brown head, chestnut body, and striking red legs and bill. They’re native to South America and are known for their distinctive high-pitched whistle. Scientific Name: Alpochen Aegyptiaca Conservation Status: Introduced Population: 1,100 breeding pairs Just slightly smaller than the mallard and the female plumage is confusingly similar. The male plumage may seem plain but look closely at the breast and intricate ‘vermiculations’ can be seen. Some spend the summer with us but many more over winter. Greater Scaups breed in the north of Canada and in Alaska before migrating to the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts for winter, but more on the Atlantic side.

Lesser Scaups are medium-sized diving birds that are pretty similar and often mistaken for Greater Scaups. What makes them different is that Lesser Scaups have a small group of hairs at the tip of their heads. It makes their head look steeper than Greater Scaups. Females and males can easily be differentiated from each other. Males have a lighter head and a yellow bill, whereas females have a darker head and a pale olive bill. Females are brown with grayish-brown heads and white around their dark eyes. They have blue patches called speculum on their wings. Most people have seen Mallards at least once before. Males are especially easy to spot because they stand out with their colorful emerald green heads and bright yellow beaks. Females are dark and compact with a white cheek spot and a small bill. Some say that she has a “feather in her cap.”Britain is a major wintering area for wildfowl, attracting birds from Greenland in the west to Siberia in the east. Fun Fact: An adult Lesser Scaup may pretend to be dead when in the jaws of a predator like the Red Fox. 15. Greater Scaup Winter floods attract tens of thousands of wigeon, teal, pintails and mallards, plus Icelandic whooper swans. The Ouse Washes, The Fens Hooded Mergansers live in eastern US states all year, but those in eastern Canada migrate for winter. They also spend all year in southwestern Canada. They can be spotted during migration in the Midwest and in winter in southern US states and the West Coast. In eclipse plumage, the male is similar to the female but rustier coloured, and with a dark green cap and eyestripe, and yellow bill.