Ducks With Red Beaks: A Detailed Look at 16 Unique Species

Ducks come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. One defining feature seen across duck species is the color of their beaks. Red beaks, in particular, stand out and can be found on ducks across the world. In this article, we’ll explore 16 duck species with vibrant red bills.

Overview

Red beaks are common in duck species across most continents In North America, male ducks tend to have red bills while females have other beak colors. In South America, both male and female ducks of many species sport red beaks.

From dabbling ducks that tip upside down to feed to diving ducks that catch fish underwater, red-billed ducks fill diverse ecological niches. Some are at home perching in trees while others stick to the water. Let’s look at some key examples

Wood Duck

The wood duck (Aix sponsa) is a stunningly colored perching duck found across North America. The male has an orange-red bill with a gray tip while the female’s bill is orange-red and gray. Some males can have mostly black plumage with an orange-red and white bill. These ducks nest in tree cavities and feed on plants and seeds by dabbling in shallow water.

Mandarin Duck

Native to East Asia, the male mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) has an unmistakable bright red bill and elaborate plumage. Females have a dull gray appearance with a grayish bill. Mandarin ducks live in ponds and waterways surrounded by woods. They’re shy ducks that often perch in trees during the day.

Muscovy Duck

A feral species originally from South America, Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata) have a long domestication history. Males have red knobs and beaks while females can have red beaks too, though gray is more common. These large ducks with warty faces can be found in waterways and wetlands across the southern U.S. and elsewhere.

Torrent Duck

Found along fast-flowing rivers in the Andes Mountains of South America, torrent ducks (Merganetta armata) have bright red beaks. Males and females both share this trait, though males’ black and white heads make the red stand out more. Torrent ducks are strong swimmers specialized for river rapids.

Brazilian Teal

The Brazilian teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis) is named for its red bill found on males of the species. Females have black beaks. They inhabit freshwater ponds, lakes, and rivers across parts of South America. These secretive dabbling ducks are rarely seen in large flocks.

Long-Tailed Duck

Long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) breed on the tundra’s lakes and ponds and wing to coastal waters during winter. Males develop a colorful face and red bill for breeding season. Females are mottled brown with a dark bill. They use their serrated bills to grasp fish and other prey.

Shelduck

Shelducks (Tadorna tadorna) are large ducks common along European and Asian coasts. Males have bright red beaks and knobs while females’ bills are pinkish. These ducks forage for small invertebrates in coastal habitats but nest inland, sometimes in old rabbit burrows.

Cape Teal

In sub-Saharan Africa, the Cape teal (Anas capensis) inhabits saline waters and freshwater rivers alike. Both sexes have pink-red beaks and red eyes. They stick to the same areas year-round rather than migrating. These small dabbling ducks feed on aquatic plants and small invertebrates.

Red-Crested Pochard

Red-crested pochards (Netta rufina) are diving ducks bearing some of the reddest bills in the duck world. Males have bright crimson beaks and heads along with bold black and white plumage. Females are brownish with gray beaks. These ducks inhabit lakes and wetlands across Eurasia and Africa.

Rosy-Billed Pochard

The South American rosy-billed pochard (Netta peposaca) feeds on plants and insects. Males have striking black heads with red knobs and beaks while females are mostly brown with blue-gray bills. Considered an agricultural pest at rice plantations, this duck’s populations are actually rising.

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck

In parts of the Americas, black-bellied whistling ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) frequent marshy lakes. As the name suggests, they have bold black and white plumage with red bills. The amount of red varies from pale pink to deep scarlet. These ducks earn their name from their loud, whistling calls.

White-Cheeked Pintail

With a range spanning the Caribbean Islands down to South America, the white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis) is named for the male’s distinctive white facial markings. Males have chocolate plumage and long, bright red bills. Females are mottled brown with orange and black bills. These streamlined ducks feed by dabbling in shallow water.

Red-Billed Teal

In sub-Saharan Africa, the red-billed teal (Anas erythrorhyncha) inhabits calm lakes and marshes. As the name says, these small dabblers have bright red bills with a central black stripe. Their plumage is intricately patterned with shades of brown, gray, and white. Red-billed teals are non-migratory, sticking to the same wetlands year-round.

King Eider

The king eider (Somateria spectabilis) is a seaduck that breeds across the high Arctic. Males have bold black and white plumage with bright orange-red bills and knobs. Females are brown with dark bills. King eiders are strong, deep divers and feed on benthic creatures like crustaceans and mollusks.

As we’ve seen, vibrant red bills appear on ducks across the world, from the familiar mallard to more obscure South American diving ducks. For many ducks, red bills are key identifiers and set males apart from more cryptically colored females. Watch for red-billed ducks next time you’re near lakes, ponds, or coastline habitats and see if you can spot any of these unique species.