Ducks of South Carolina

Black Duck

Length – 24 inches

Looks like a dark version of a mallard hen. White underwings and pale head contrast with a dark body. Often flies with mallards. Hens and drakes have a similar appearance.

Mottled Duck

Mottled ducks are generally found on the coast of South Carolina, but are occasionally taken inland in our state. Drake and hen mottled ducks look like hen mallards, but the body feathers are a little darker than the mallard, yet not as dark as a black duck, and have the characteristic mottling shown in this photograph. The wing patch has a blue-green tint, no front white bar and a rear faded white stripe may be present.

Identifying Hen Mallards, Black & Mottled Ducks

Length – 18½ inches

Frequents woods along streams or flooded timber. Commonly breeds in South Carolina.

Gadwall

Length – 21 inches

Look for a white patch on the back of each wing and a white belly. A gadwall flock looks like a flock of small, slim mallard hens.

Wigeon

Length – 21 inches

Look for a showy white belly and a light blue bill tipped with black. Generally seen in small flocks and taken in low numbers.

Shoveler

Length – 21 inches

Has an undeserved reputation for being poor table fare.

Common Goldeneye

Length – 19 inches

Distinctive wing-whistling sound in flight has earned the name of “whistlers.” These are active, strongwinged fliers moving singly or in small flocks. Generally seen on large rivers and lakes. Look for chunky body, fast direct flight, flash of white on wing.

Blue-winged Teal

Length – 16 inches

Look for rapid, twisting flight in dense flocks. Shoulders are pale blue. Less than one third the size of a mallard.

Green-winged Teal

Length – 15 inches

A fast duck that flies in dense flocks similar to those of blue-winged teal. Both sexes appear pale underneath and dark on top. Two pale lines on the top of wings are often visible. Teal prefer shallow water and are common in rice fields.

Canvasback

Length – 22 inches

Look for a sloped forehead and a dark bill. Wingbeats are noisy and rapid.

Redhead

Length – 20 inches

Looks similar to a canvasback except its forehead is more rounded. Its bill is blue with a white and black tip. Occasionally seen on reservoirs and deep waters.

Ruddy Duck

Length – 15½ inches

When flying, their small wings stroke so fast they resemble bumblebees. Hens and drakes are similar in appearance during fall. Look for white cheek patch on males. Often seen on minnow ponds and large lakes with buffleheads.

Bufflehead

Length – 14½ inches

Small, fast-flying duck. Look for white on its head and wings. Plump appearance. Often seen with ruddy ducks.

Ring-necked Duck

Length – 17 inches

Swift, erratic flight. Look for a dark head and breast with a white belly. Dark back and wings help distinguish this duck in flight from scaup. Often seen in rice fields and agricultural reservoirs.

Scaup

Length – 18½ inches

Looks similar to a ring-necked duck but with a white back, bright blue bill and white on its wings.

Hooded Merganser

Length – 21½ inches

Mergansers have narrow, pointed bills. A hooded merganser is small with a “hood,” and has black and white on each wing patch feather.

Red-breasted Merganser

Length – 23 inches

Uncommon. Flight is strong and direct, usually low over the water. Difficult to distinguish in flight from the common merganser. Female’s head and neck are paler than femalecommon merganser.

Common Merganser

Length – 25½ inches

Flocks move in “follow the leader” style, low over the water. Look for green head and white body on the drake. Female’s bright chestnut, crested head contrasts sharply with white chin and breast.