Ducks are often recognized for their iridescent green heads or mottled brown camouflage, but some species rely on bold, high-contrast black and white plumage for identification. This dichotomy of color serves various purposes, such as species recognition during courtship displays or breaking up a bird’s outline against a watery background. These distinct patterns are noticeable across certain groups of diving ducks, sea ducks, and common domestic breeds.
Diving Ducks Defined by Contrasting Head Markings
Several species of diving ducks use a sharp black and white head pattern as their most prominent feature, making them easy to spot on open water. This coloration is typically reserved for the breeding-plumaged male, where a dark, sometimes iridescent head is sharply contrasted by a clean white patch.
The male Bufflehead, one of the smallest North American diving ducks, possesses a large, puffy head that is dark with an iridescent sheen of green and purple. This dark coloration is interrupted by a large, triangular white patch that sweeps from behind the eye and wraps around the back of the head. The rest of the male’s body is largely white on the breast and sides, contrasting with a black back.
The male Common Goldeneye has a deep, glossy greenish-black head, punctuated by a distinctive, round white spot situated between the bill base and the bright yellow eye. The clean white neck and breast accentuate the black head. The black back and tail provide an overall high-contrast profile visible on lakes and rivers.
The male Hooded Merganser features a large, fan-shaped black crest with a conspicuous white patch in the center. When the crest is raised during courtship displays, this white patch becomes highly visible against the black surrounding feathers. The rest of the male’s body is black above and white below, and it uses a slender, serrated bill for catching fish.
Sea Ducks Primarily Black with Distinct White Patches
In larger ducks that inhabit marine environments, the black and white pattern often shifts from the head to the body or wing plumage. These sea ducks typically have a dark, robust body, with white serving as a bold accent color.
The male Surf Scoter is an almost entirely velvety black bird, but it stands out due to two distinct white patches on its head: one triangular patch on the forehead and a second patch on the nape of the neck. These markings, along with its bright, multi-colored bill, have earned it the nickname “skunkhead.”
The Harlequin Duck, named for the Commedia dell’arte character, displays a complex pattern where black and white are used as trim on a slate-blue body. Key white markings include a bold crescent shape in front of the eye, a small dot behind the eye, and a vertical white stripe on the side of the neck, all bordered by black. This intricate arrangement allows the males to blend into the turbulent, rocky coastlines they prefer. The Black Scoter male, in contrast, is nearly all black, lacking white plumage, though the female has pale cheek patches that offer a subtle contrast.
Species Where Black and White Appearance Changes Seasonally or by Gender
Not all ducks maintain a black and white appearance throughout the year, as this high-contrast coloration is often temporary, reserved for the male’s breeding season plumage. This seasonal shift, known as alternate or nuptial plumage, causes significant changes in a bird’s overall look.
The Long-tailed Duck male undergoes dramatic seasonal transformations, presenting two mirror-image black and white patterns annually. In its winter plumage, the male is mostly white with a black breast and a black patch on the side of the head. For the summer breeding season, the male reverses this, becoming mostly black or dark brown with a white face patch, while retaining its characteristic long tail plumes.
The male Green-winged Teal, though primarily gray and cinnamon, shows a narrow, vertical white stripe on the side of its chest, a key black and white feature of its breeding attire. This small dabbling duck sheds this distinct marking when it molts into its duller, non-breeding or eclipse plumage. Similarly, the male Ruddy Duck, which is mostly dark brown and gray in its winter coat, exhibits a crisp, white cheek patch against its dark cap.
Common Domestic Black and White Varieties
When encountering black and white ducks in a park or backyard setting, the bird is often a domestic breed, selectively bred for specific color patterns, egg production, or meat yield. These varieties typically exhibit a pied or mottled pattern rather than the clean, block coloration of their wild counterparts.
The Magpie Duck is a popular domestic breed named for the Eurasian Magpie due to its black and white coloration. The ideal pattern features a colored cap on the head and a distinct, heart-shaped colored patch, or “saddle,” across its back, with the rest of the body predominantly white. This breed is known for its excellent egg-laying ability and active foraging nature.
The Ancona Duck is another common domestic variety that displays a pinto-style spotting pattern of irregular black and white patches unique to each individual bird. Unlike the Magpie, the Ancona’s broken color pattern is not uniform, with a mix of color and white acceptable on the head, back, and sides. The bill is typically yellow with dark spotting, and the legs and feet are orange with black or brown markings that become more prominent with age.