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Ducks of Lake Huron |
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Ducks of Lake Huron |
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| The ducks are some of the easiest birds to identify because of their size, distinctive plumage body shapes and flight characteristics. Many do not breed here but pass through on their way to Canada. | During the migration millions of ducks use Lake Huron and Lake Erie because of the numerous wetlands and open waters for resting and protection. April and October are the best viewing months. |
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The Baldpate (or American Widgeon) gets its name from the shiny, white crown on the male. It is an occasional spring visitor and fall migrant but has been found in the summer also, preferring ponds and bays. The green head patch and white feathers on the leading upper surface of the wing are diagnostic. The female is ruddy brown with a grey head and neck, but retains the white wing feathers. Being mainly a western bird, the Baldpate is uncommon along Lake Huron. Also known locally as whistler because of its call. Listen to the call (DVG). |
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The Canvasback is one of the premier ducks of the waterfowl world because of its striking coloration, large size, and distinctive neck and head. From a distance the males look white, females are brown and muted white. As tablefare it is hard to beat. It is a diver, occupying large lakes, bays and rivers. Breeds in Canada and western America, migrates through the Great Lakes and may overwinter if open water available. Making a slow comeback from low numbers of the 1970's. |
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One of the most common lake and river ducks, the Lesserscaup, or Bluebill, passes through Lake Huron in huge numbers. The male has a shiny, black head with a purple gloss, and a very light grey bill (no ring on it). The female is all brown, with the same bill, and with a semi-circular white crescent just behind the bill. Greater scaups are larger, have rounder heads with a greenish gloss and longer wing stripes. Both are divers, seldom seen in marshes. The bluebills have had the most liberal hunting limits of any duck over the last 50 years. |
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The Green-winged Teal is a very small duck of the wetlands and small lakes or rivers. Males show a distinctive white stripe on the body and a green eye patch, otherwise being brownish. Female is brown speckled with a small green speculum behind the wing at rest. Occasionally breeds in Saginaw Bay region. Easy to confuse with Blue-winged Teal, which lacks body stripe but male has white crescent ahead of eye and both sexes show blue patches on wings. Hear the song of the Green-winged Teal (DVG). |
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The Mallard is the most widespread of all the ducks. Easy to distinguish by the bright green head, white neck ring and ruddy breast. The female is more confusing but has a whitish tail, greenish bill, and white feathers surrounding a purple wing patch at rest. A breeding duck over most of the United States and Canada. Being a dabbler, it prefers shallow water of wetlands, ponds, and swamps. The mallard takes easily to people and has become a common backyard duck of riparians. Listen to the voice (DVG). |
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Mallard eggs are creamy white and as large as chicken eggs. The young leave the nest soon after hatching and grow rapidly to this size within several weeks. Family size runs 8 to 10 chicks. |  |
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The Pintail male is a most regal duck with an elongated brown neck trimmed with a white point. The tail is very elongated (the pin-tail). Female resembles a mallard but has a grey, pointed bill and no purple showing . A regular migrant to Saginaw Bay wetlands, but rarely breeds there. Male's voice is a wheezy, mewing sound. Hear the call (DVG). |
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The Redhead resembles the Canvasback at a distance but a closer look shows a definite boxy head that is much redder and the body is not nearly as white or large. The bill is blue with a black tip. Female has the same head shape but is brownish, with a light patch near the bill. A common spring migrant to the area, prefers open water, flies in tight packs. |
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Ring-necked ducks resemble scaup but have a dull chestnut colored ring around the neck. The heads are very triangular, with a black tipped bill ringed in white, hence often called ring-billed. The backs are very black in males. Females resemble scaup without the distinctive white patch. Prefers small wooded lakes and wetland ponds. Hear the voice (DVG). |
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Both the male (left) and female Shoveler have very distinctive huge bills placed on very straight foreheads. The male has a dark green head, no neck ring and a white breast. Fairly rare overall, but a common migrant to the area in small ponds and wetlands. |  |
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Male Wood Ducks (left) are the most colorful ducks in North America. The female is far less gaudy and can be told by the small bill and pronounced eye ring. They are seldom seen far from small ponds, rivers, and floodings with abundant trees. They nest in tree cavities 10 to 30 feet off the ground. They are a breeding species for much of the eastern half of North America. Song of the male Wood Duck (MMP). Song of the female Wood Duck (MMP). |
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