The term “small duck” refers to a collection of distinct duck species characterized by their smaller size compared to more common ducks like the Mallard. Numerous smaller species exist, each possessing unique characteristics and specific names. This article will explore some commonly recognized small duck species, their identifying features, and their typical habitats and behaviors.
Commonly Called Small Ducks
Several species are categorized as small ducks, with “teals” forming a prominent group. The Green-winged Teal, for instance, is the smallest dabbling duck native to North America, measuring around 12.5 to 16 inches long and weighing between 6 to 16 ounces. Males display a chestnut-colored head with a broad green eye-patch, a spotted chest, and gray sides. The Blue-winged Teal, another small dabbling duck, is identifiable by the male’s grayish-blue head, a white crescent in front of the eye, and a white flank patch.
Other small ducks include the Ruddy Duck, a compact diving duck with a stout, scoop-shaped bill and a long, stiff tail often held cocked upward. Breeding males have bright chestnut bodies, black caps, and striking blue bills. The Bufflehead is a tiny, large-headed diving duck; males exhibit a striking black-and-white pattern and a glossy green and purple sheen on their heads, while females are gray-brown with a distinct white cheek patch. The Hooded Merganser, the smallest North American merganser, is recognized by its thin bill and a distinctive fan-shaped, collapsible crest. Adult males are black above with a white breast and rich chestnut flanks, featuring a prominent white patch on their black head.
Key Features of Small Ducks
Small ducks typically range from 12 to 19 inches in length and weigh from less than a pound to about 2 pounds. Their compact and often rounded body shapes distinguish them from larger, more elongated duck species. For instance, Ruddy Ducks are chunky with a thick neck, while Buffleheads have a small, buoyant, and large-headed appearance.
Bill size and shape are also key identifiers for small ducks, often reflecting their feeding strategies. Buffleheads, for example, have short, wide bills, while Hooded Mergansers have slender, serrated bills adapted for catching fish. Many small dabbling ducks, such as teals, have proportionally shorter bills compared to larger ducks, suitable for skimming the water surface or sifting through shallow mud for food. Plumage patterns vary widely but often feature distinctive head markings, iridescent patches, or contrasting body colors, which aid in species identification.
Habitat and Behavior of Small Species
Small duck species often frequent specific aquatic environments. Teals, for instance, prefer shallow wetlands, marshes, and small ponds with dense emergent vegetation, often found near woodlands during breeding season. Ruddy Ducks are found in overgrown, shallow marshes with abundant vegetation and some open water, and in deeper waters with silty bottoms outside of breeding season. Buffleheads inhabit well-forested ponds or swamps in summer, and during winter, they are found in sheltered coves, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes. Hooded Mergansers reside in wooded wetlands, small freshwater bodies, and swamps.
Their behaviors are adapted to their size and habitat. Many small ducks, especially diving species like the Ruddy Duck and Bufflehead, forage by submerging themselves to catch aquatic invertebrates, small fish, or plants. Buffleheads abruptly vanish and resurface as they feed, spending half their time underwater. Dabbling small ducks, like teals, feed by tipping forward in the water to reach submerged vegetation and insects, or by skimming the surface. In flight, small ducks often exhibit fast wingbeats and may fly in tight clusters, which provides safety and coordination within the flock.