Waterfowl

(Order: Anseriformes)

Waterfowl are staple of waterways world wide. From mallards to swans, these birds are greatly varied.

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

The mallard is the classic duck. Males have a vibrant and iridescent green head while females appear drab. They are found globally.

 

Male Mallard duck with iridescent green head swims on a sparkling sunlit lake with others behind.
Female mallard duck standing on ice with orange feet, showing brown speckled plumage in winter.
Male mallard duck with glossy green head and yellow bill floating on a calm dark water surface.
Male mallard duck standing in shallow water, displaying vibrant green head and chestnut brown chest plumage.
Male mallard duck preening its colorful plumage, showing purple wing patch near green reflective water.
Close-up portrait of a female mallard duck with mottled brown plumage and yellow-gray bill.

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus
A hooded merganser duck with striking yellow eye and black-white crest floats on rippling water.

Hooded mergansers are a small diving duck. Males and females have a hood. Males' hoods are black and white. Hooded mergansers hunt prey underwater.

Gadwall

Mareca strepera
A gadwall duck swimming directly toward the camera on a calm golden-reflective lake surface.

Gadwalls are dabbling ducks spread throughout the world. Females appear drab while males have an intricate pattern.

Two gadwall ducks swimming side by side on a serene, softly lit golden lake.

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa
A colorful male wood duck with iridescent green head and red eye glides on dark water.

The wood duck is a very small dabbling ducks. These ducks perch and nest in trees. They are extremely colorful and the only member of their genus in North America.