Ducks with white heads stand out among waterfowl for their distinctive plumage. While drab female ducks blend into their surroundings, the males sport bold black and white patterns that make them easy to recognize even from a distance.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the most common duck species with white heads found across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. We’ll cover how to identify them by sight, interesting facts about their behavior, and where they live.
Common North American Ducks With White Heads
Many of the most familiar ducks with white heads reside in North America Let’s look at a few of these striking waterfowl
Bufflehead
The tiny Bufflehead is one of the most easily recognized ducks thanks to the male’s large white head patch contrasting with his black back and wings Interestingly, the female Bufflehead sports a white cheek patch rather than a full white head
Buffleheads are diving ducks, feeding on aquatic invertebrates like insects and crustaceans. They nest in tree cavities made by woodpeckers and other birds, often far from water.
Range: Widespread across North America
Frequency of occurrence: High
Hooded Merganser
Male Hooded Mergansers have distinctive white crests surrounded by black that they can raise or lower. Females also have crests, though their heads are brown.
Hooded mergansers are fish-eaters that swim underwater to catch their prey. They prefer small ponds and rivers lined with trees where they nest in cavities.
Range: Throughout North America
Frequency of occurrence: Medium
Common Goldeneye
The male Common Goldeneye sports a circular white patch on its black head, giving it a unique facial pattern. Females have brown heads with a yellowish bill tip.
Goldeneyes are diving ducks that breed near boreal lakes and ponds. They nest in tree cavities like Buffleheads. Outside of breeding season, they’re found on lakes, rivers and coastal areas.
Range: Throughout northern North America, Europe and Asia.
Frequency of occurrence: High
Long-tailed Duck
Formerly known as Oldsquaw, the Long-tailed Duck exhibits striking black, white and brown plumage. Both sexes have white faces and crowns that contrast sharply with black necks and cheek patches.
Long-tailed ducks nest in Arctic tundra near shallow lakes or ponds. They winter along rocky coastlines and open ocean, where they feed on mollusks and crustaceans.
Range: Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia.
Frequency of occurrence: Medium
Other Notable Species Worldwide
Beyond North America, there are many other duck species with bold white head patterns. Here are some highlights:
Muscovy Duck
This unusual duck features bare skin on the face and a large black knob on the bill. Both sexes can exhibit white feathers on the head and neck. Muscovy ducks are popular as pets and have become feral in some regions after escaping captivity.
Range: Mexico, Central and South America. Introduced elsewhere.
Frequency of occurrence: Medium
White-headed Duck
A small stiff-tailed duck of Europe, Asia and North Africa. Both sexes have predominantly white heads. Males also have striking blue bills in breeding plumage.
Range: Spain, North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia
Frequency of occurrence: Low
Torrent Duck
Males have mostly white heads with black crests and cheek stripes. They inhabit fast-flowing Andean streams in South America. Torrent ducks are strong swimmers and even nest along rocky riverbanks.
Range: Andean regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina
Frequency of occurrence: Low
Radjah Shelduck
This boldly patterned shelduck has a snowy white head, dark bill, and black and white wings. It inhabits lakes, rivers and estuaries from Australia to Indonesia.
Range: Australia and New Guinea
Frequency of occurrence: Low
South African Shelduck
In a reversal of typical duck patterns, the female has the white head while the male is mostly dark with a grayish crown. This rare shelduck is near-threatened and found only in southern Africa.
Range: Coastal regions of Namibia and South Africa
Frequency of occurrence: Low
Identifying Ducks With White Heads
When trying to identify a duck with a white head, consider the following factors:
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Size and shape – Note whether it has a slender or stocky build. Is the head rounded or peaked? What is the bill shape?
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Plumage colors – Look at the extent of white on the head versus other colors like black, brown or iridescent feathers.
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Companions – Female ducks are often brown. If you see a flock, the male is likely the bird with the most distinctive plumage.
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Behavior – Watch for diving, dabbling or other behaviors that offer identification clues.
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Location – Consider range maps to determine what species occur in your area.
With practice, those striking white heads will stand out immediately and make identifying ducks a breeze. Examining the full profile, bill shape and other features will help distinguish look-alikes where the patterning is similar.
So next time you spot a white-headed duck, take a closer look at its distinctive patterns and behaviors. With some observation skills, you’ll soon be able to put a name to these beautifully adorned waterfowl.
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FAQ
What kind of ducks have white heads?
The white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a small diving duck some 45 cm (18 in) long. The male has a white head with black crown, a blue bill, and reddish-grey plumage. The female has a dark bill and rather duller colouring. Its breeding habitat is lakes with open water and dense vegetation at the margin.
What is a white-headed duck called?
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala.
Are Hooded Mergansers considered ducks?
Hooded mergansers are medium-sized sea ducks, and the smallest of the three merganser species in North America. In winter, males are easily distinguished by the white, fan-shaped crest on their black head.
Is an American coot a duck?
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These birds are commonly seen in freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers in North America.
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Despite their duck-like appearance and behavior, coots belong to the rail family (Rallidae), which also includes rails and gallinules.
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Distinctive Features:American coots have a white, triangular-shaped bill with a shield that extends up the forehead, and white stripes on the sides of their undertail.
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Feet:Unlike ducks with webbed feet, coots have lobed toes that help them navigate both on land and in water.
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Ducks belong to the family Anatidae, a different family than coots.
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Similarities:Coots and ducks share some characteristics, like their ability to swim and dive, which can lead to confusion.
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Diet:Coots eat aquatic plants, insects, and small invertebrates, while ducks have a broader diet that includes fish, seeds, and other aquatic plants.
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Habitat:Coots live in wetlands and open water bodies in North America.
Which ducks have white heads?
Muscovy Duck The Muscovy tops the list of ducks sporting white heads. Known alternatively as Barbarie or Barbary Ducks, their heads are a canvas of white, often dotted with contrasting black spots. Temperament-wise, note that these birds are favored as companions due to their gentle disposition.
Are bufflehead ducks white?
Hailing from North America, the Bufflehead boasts a large, round head with a striking color palette of black, white, and a shimmering green or purple patch. This bold combination makes these fowls one of the most easy-to-recognize ducks with white heads.
Where do Ducks with white heads live?
The Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa are some of the continents where ducks with white heads live. Some species are found on multiple continents while others only inhabit small areas without migrating. Ducks in North America are most likely to have white heads only in the case of males, as females are dull-colored.
How do white-headed ducks look?
Males turn their white sections to blue sections for higher breeding success. Males take on an additional black section on the crown while their beak turns dark blue. Female White-headed Ducks maintain their white faces while the crown is bright brown. Both males and females have brown-gray plumage.
What does a duck look like?
The crown and the face are bright white while the back of the head is black. A combination of black and white patterns is also seen on its beak. While the head is mostly white, these ducks show a vivid red chest which makes them stand out. Gray, brown, white, and yellow nuances are further seen across the body and the wings.
Do whistling ducks have white faces?
White-faced Whistling Duck From a young age, White-faced Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna viduata) have white faces while the rest of the head is bright gray. As they grow, these ducks eventually become entirely white-headed. The crown and the face are bright white while the back of the head is black.