A red-breasted mersanger washing their beak in the icy water.

Ducks’ special role in wetland ecosystems is becoming more important than ever. As climate change makes certain places too warm for some species, ducks can inadvertently relocate them to more suitable climates so they can thrive. For example, fish eggs and frog eggs, invertebrates and plant species can all be carried from one wetland to another in the duck’s feathers or through its intestinal tract

As winter exerts its icy grip over the lands and waters of the Great Lakes basin, many inland lakes freeze over. The quiet stillness and expanses of ice and snow provide harsh conditions for all animals, especially waterfowl who require open water to feed, swim, and congregate.

The open waters of the Great Lakes provide a safe haven for waterfowl during the cold winter and spring months. Each year, this natural phenomenon provides a prime opportunity for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike to see over 30 species of waterfowl and learn more about the birds who call this region home.

This winter, we encourage you to brave the cold, head to your nearest open body of water and try to identify some winter waterfowl.

Duck identification 101

Before you set out, it is important to know the top tips to successfully and safely identify wildlife. Identifying ducks in the Great Lakes region is similar to identifying any wild animal.

Remain at a respectful distance

  • Don’t feed or handle wildlife. This is critical for both the animal’s safety and yours.

Come prepared

  • Review ice safety protocol ahead of time.

  • Dress for the weather and in something comfortable. Ducks are often in wet and marshy areas, so bringing a pair of rubber boots or waders can help keep your feet dry and comfortable.

  • Consider bringing binoculars, a scope, or some other device to view birds at a distance.

Reference field guides and free online resources such as:

To help with identification and learn more about the birds you’re seeing. Take pictures and notes if you want to look up details later.

Know when and where to go

Your success in seeing ducks can vary based on the time of year, time of day, and your location in the watershed.

  • Some places like Point Pelee are known to be bird migration hotspots, while some species can only be found in the northern or southern regions of the watershed during certain times of the year. If you are looking for a particular species, research when they’ll be in your region.

  • Some species of ducks prefer the quiet, slow moving nature of inland ponds, while others prefer the wide open waters of the Great Lakes themselves.

  • Though it depends on the species of duck and time of year, ducks are often most active and easy to watch near dusk and dawn.

  • Ducks, like many species of birds, change in appearance throughout the year. Often their plumage is much brighter during the breeding season, especially in males. Their hues may be more subtle in the winter.

Know what to look for

  • Many species have distinctive characteristics that make them easy to tell apart from others, and some might have look-alike features.

  • Look at other clues like the duck’s behaviour and the surrounding habitat to give you clues

Have fun!

Wildlife are unpredictable and can sometimes be hard to spot or see clearly. Either way, you spent some time outside and learned a little more about the birds who also call this watershed home.

The ducks

1. Mallard

Mallards on Lake Huron

Mallard Ducks are a common sight across much of the Great Lakes region year-round. ou’ll often see them in suburban areas, parks and wetlands.

Status: Common

When and where you’re likely to see them: year-round in southern reaches of the watershed (Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan), and throughout the summer in northern reaches.

ID features: Males have an iridescent green head, white collar and yellow beak with a grey, white and brown body. Females are a mottled brown with an orange to brown beak and often have a visible blue to indigo patch near the back of their wing.

Behaviour: Dabbling duck

Species that can look similar: Mottled duck, American black duck

2. Redhead

Redhead duck. Photo by Gianni Nalin

Redhead ducks are commonly seen in large groups (called rafts) on open water during winter and migration. Often they can be seen with other species such as canvasbacks, scaups, American wigeons, and American coots

Status: Common

When and where you’re likely to see them: Year-round in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, in the other Great Lakes during migration.

ID features: Both males and females have a steep forehead and grey-blue beak with a black tip. Males have a reddish-brown head, yellow eyes, dark brown chest, and taupe to grey body. Females are medium brown overall with black eyes and a pale face.

Species that can look similar: Canvasback, greater scaup, ring-necked duck

Behaviour: Diving duck

3. Bufflehead

Buffleheads on Lake Huron

In the winter, buffleheads are commonly seen in sheltered coves off large bodies of water.

Status: Common

When and where you’re likely to see them: during winter in southern reaches of the watershed (Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan), occasionally during migration or summer in northern reaches of the watershed.

ID features: Large head and grey beak. Males have an iridescent green face, with a large white spot on the sides and backs of their heads, purple-ish neck and stark black and white body. Females have a brown to taupe and white body, white chest, and dark brown back and head, with white patches below and behind their eyes.

Behaviour: Diving duck

Species that can look similar: Hooded merganser, common goldeneye, harlequin duck

4. Gadwall

Gadwall. Photo by Psubraty

Gadwalls can commonly be found in mixed flocks with other dabbling ducks. In winter, they will often be seen in breeding pairs.

Status: Common

When and where you’re likely to see them: Year-round on the north shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, during winter on the south shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and parts of Lake Michigan, and during migration or breeding season in the other Great Lakes.

ID features: Males have a pale brown to grey appearance with intricate patterning across their chest and face, a black beak, black rump and a white wing patch during breeding season. Females are a mottled brown with an orange beak, similar to a mallard.

Species that can look similar: Mallard, American wigeon, blue-winged teal.

Behaviour: Dabbling duck

5. Hooded Merganser

A hooded merganser. Photo by Bryan Hanson

Hooded Mergansers are more commonly found in small freshwater lakes and ponds during the summer, though they spend some of their time in larger water bodies and wetlands in the winter.

Status: Common

When and where you’re likely to see them: In the southern stretches of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, as well as Lake Ontario and Lake Erie year-round. n the northern reaches of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, as well as Lake Superior during the breeding season.

ID features: Both males and females have large head crests and long narrow beaks. Males have a distinctive white patch on the sides of their crests, yellow eyes, white chests, brown bodies, black backs, and distinctive white striping on their sides.

Species that can look similar: Bufflehead, red-breasted merganser, common merganser

Behaviour: Diving duck

6. Common Goldeneye

Goldeneye on Lake Huron

Goldeneyes forage in flocks, often diving simultaneously and generally feeding in shallow nearshore waters.

Status: Common

When and where you’re likely to see them: Year-round in northern stretches of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, as well as Lake Superior. During the winter in southern reaches of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, as well as Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

ID features: Both males and females have small head crests, black beaks and distinctive yellow eyes, as their name suggests. Males have a green-black head, a distinctive white patch on the sides of their beak, white bodies, black backs, and distinctive white striping on their sides. Females have dark brown heads, white collars, and grey-brown and white mottled bodies

Species that can look similar: Bufflehead, barrow’s goldeneye

Behaviour: Diving duck

7. Long-tailed duck

Long-tailed ducks on Lake Ontario

Long-tailed ducks breed in the Arctic and spend their winters along the coasts of large water bodies such as the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. They can often be found on ice floes far off shore.

Status: Common, but in steep decline.

When and where you’re likely to see them: during migration in all regions of the Great Lakes, except the central and southern portions of Lake Michigan.

ID features: Both males and females have large head crests and long narrow beaks. Males have a distinctive white patch on the sides of their crests, yellow eyes, white chests, brown bodies, black backs, and distinctive white striping on their sides.

Species that can look similar: Bufflehead, red-breasted merganser, common merganser

Behaviour: Diving duck