Alaska is home to a vast array of wildlife, including 19 species of ducks. These beautiful waterfowl can be found throughout the state, from coastal waters to inland lakes and rivers. This document will explore some interesting facts about Alaska’s duck species and their habitats.
Ducks play a crucial role in the ecosystem of Alaska. They contribute to seed dispersal, wetland health, and nutrient cycling. Additionally, they are important prey for larger animals like bears and eagles.
Sea Ducks: Masters of the Alaskan Waters
Sea ducks are diving ducks that can be found in the coastal waters of Alaska. They have adapted to life on the water and have specialized features that make them excellent swimmers and divers.
1. Harlequin Duck
Scientific Name: Histrionicus histrionicus
Length: 14-18 inches
Weight: 1.5-2.4 pounds
Wingspan: 23-27 inches
Habitat: Coastal waters with fast-flowing rivers and streams
The Harlequin Duck is a medium-sized duck with striking plumage. The males have a blue body with black, brown, and white patches on their sides and back, while the females have a grayish-brown body with white patches. They are named after the colourful and clown-like patterns on their bodies.
2. Long-tailed Duck
Scientific Name: Clangula hyemalis
Length: 18-22 inches
Weight: 1.5-2 pounds
Wingspan: 28-32 inches
Habitat: Coastal waters and inland lakes with dense vegetation
The Long-tailed Duck, also known as the Oldsquaw, is a stunning duck species with an exceptionally long tail. During breeding season, males have striking black and white plumage with reddish-brown heads. In contrast, females have a brown body with a pale cheek patch.
3. Eider (Common and King)
Scientific Name: Somateria mollissima (Common Eider) and Somateria spectabilis (King Eider)
Length: 20-27 inches
Weight: 3.9-7.1 pounds
Wingspan: 37-45 inches
Habitat: Coastal waters with rocky shores and extensive tidal flats
Eiders are large sea ducks with distinct body shapes. The males have large, bulbous heads, while females have a more streamlined appearance. The Common and King Eiders have white feathers with black and green accents in their breeding plumage.
4. Scoter (Surf, White-winged, and Black)
Scientific Name: Melanitta perspicillata (Surf Scoter), Melanitta fusca (White-winged Scoter), and Melanitta nigra (Black Scoter)
Length: 18-24 inches
Weight: 2.6-3.5 pounds
Wingspan: 31-38 inches
Habitat: Coastal waters and large inland lakes
Scoters are diving ducks with a compact body shape and short wings. During breeding season, males have striking white, black, and brown plumage with bright orange bills. Females have a more subdued appearance with dark brown bodies and pale cheeks.
Dabbling Ducks: The Surface Feeders
Dabbling ducks, also known as surface feeders, are a group of duck species that primarily feed on the water’s surface by tipping their heads underwater and grazing on aquatic vegetation. These ducks do not have teeth but have specialized bills to help them filter out food from the water.
5. Mallard
Scientific Name: Anas platyrhynchos
Length: 18-26 inches
Weight: 2.5-3.5 pounds
Wingspan: 32-39 inches
Habitat: Wetlands, ponds, and marshes
The Mallard is the most widespread duck in North America and has been introduced to other parts of the world. Males have a green head, yellow bill, and brown body while females have a mottled brown appearance. During the breeding season, males often chase females in an impressive courtship display.
6. Northern Pintail
Scientific Name: Anas acuta
Length: 21-29 inches
Weight: 1.5-2.5 pounds
Wingspan: 32-37 inches
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, and shallow wetlands
The Northern Pintail is a graceful duck with a long neck and slender body. Males have a chocolate brown head and neck, gray body, and long pointed tail. Females have a mottled brown appearance with a dark stripe down the center of their head. During breeding season, males often perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females.
7. American Wigeon
Scientific Name: Mareca Americana
Length: 17-23 inches
Weight: 1.5-2.5 pounds
Wingspan: 30-32 inches
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and rivers
The American Wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a blue-gray body, white patches on the wings, and a green patch on the head. During breeding season, males have a white band on their forehead and a pinkish-brown breast. These ducks are often found in coastal waters but can also be seen inland.
8. Green-winged Teal
Scientific Name: Anas crecca
Length: 13-16 inches
Weight: 0.5-1 pound
Wingspan: 23-25 inches
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes
The Green-winged Teal is the smallest duck in North America and has a distinctive green patch on its wing. Males have a chestnut head and gray body, while females have a mottled brown appearance. These ducks are often found in shallow water, foraging on aquatic vegetation.
9. Gadwall
Scientific Name: Mareca strepera
Length: 18-23 inches
Weight: 1.5-2.5 pounds
Wingspan: 32-38 inches
Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and wetlands
The Gadwall is a medium-sized duck with a gray-brown body and black tail feathers. Males have a black patch on their rump and a gray head with a white crescent shape near the eye. Females have a mottled brown appearance. These ducks are often seen in pairs or small groups.
Diving Ducks: Alaska’s Deep Divers
While dabbling ducks feed by tipping their heads underwater, diving ducks completely submerge themselves to reach food. Diving ducks have large webbed feet and strong legs, making them excellent at swimming and diving.
10. Canvasback
Scientific Name: Aythya valisineria
Length: 18-22 inches
Weight: 2.5-3.5 pounds
Wingspan: 30-33 inches
Habitat: Lakes, bays, and estuaries
The Canvasback is a large diving duck with a long neck and distinctive red head and neck. Males also have a black breast and tail, while females have a brown head and gray body with a darker back. These ducks are known for their ability to dive up to 20 feet in search of food.
11. Redhead
Scientific Name: Aythya Americana: 16-22 inches
Weight: 2-3 pounds
Wingspan: 33-35 inches
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, and marshes
The Redhead is a medium-sized diving duck with a reddish-brown head and black breast. Males also have a gray body, while females have a brown head and grayish-brown body. These ducks are known for their high-pitched “kwee-kwee” call and their preference for diving for food in deeper waters.
12. Ring-necked Duck
Scientific Name: Aythya collaris
Length: 14-19 inches
Weight: 1.5-2 pounds
Wingspan: 24-28 inches
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, and marshes
The Ring-necked duck is a small diving duck with a distinctive white ring on its bill. Males have a black head, neck, and breast with a purplish sheen, while females have a brown head and body. These ducks breed in the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada and can be found in large flocks during migration.
Stiff-tailed Ducks: Unique Tails of the North
Stiff-tailed ducks, also known as “pochards,” are diving ducks with unique tails. These ducks have stiff feathers on their tails that they use as a prop while swimming and diving.
13. Ruddy Duck
Scientific Name: Oxyura jamaicensis
Length: 14-17 inches
Weight: 1-2 pounds
Wingspan: 20-23 inches
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, and marshes
The Ruddy duck is a small diving duck with a short, thick neck and distinctive blue bill. In breeding season, males have a bright chestnut body and black head, while females have a gray-brown body and white cheek patches. These ducks are known for their unique courtship displays, which involve them beating their bills against their chests.
Perching Ducks: The Tree Dwellers
Perching ducks, also known as “perching waterfowl,” are a group of duck species with the unique ability to perch and roost in trees. They often use tree cavities or old woodpecker holes as their nesting sites.
14. Wood Duck
Scientific Name: Aix sponsa
Length: 17-20 inches
Weight: 1-2 pounds
Wingspan: 26-29 inches
Habitat: Wooded swamps, marshes, and streams
The Wood duck is a medium-sized duck with a long, narrow tail and a distinctive crested head. Males have a colorful plumage with green, purple, and white markings, while females have a gray-brown body and white eye stripes. These ducks are known for their unique whistling call and are popular among hunters due to their delicious meat.
Shelducks and Sheldgeese: The Large and In Charge Birds
Shelducks and sheldgeese are a group of large waterfowl species that resemble both ducks and geese. They have long necks, sturdy bodies, and unique facial markings.
15. Muscovy Duck
Scientific Name: Cairina moschata
Length: 25-35 inches
Weight: 5-15 pounds
Wingspan: 45-60 inches
Habitat: Wetlands and agricultural fields
The Muscovy duck is a large, domesticated duck with a distinctive red wattle on its face. These ducks are commonly found in farmyards and city parks, where humans feed them. They have a varied diet that includes aquatic plants, insects, and small vertebrates.
Geese and Swans: The Cousins of Ducks
Geese and swans are closely related to ducks and share many similar characteristics. They have long necks, sturdy bodies, and webbed feet.
16. Canada Goose
Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
Length: 30-43 inches
Weight: 6-14 pounds
Wingspan: 50-73 inches
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, and grasslands
The Canada goose is a well-known bird in North America with its distinctive black head and neck, white chinstrap, and brown body. These geese are famous for their V-shaped flying formation during migration. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses and grains.
17. Trumpeter Swan
Scientific Name: Cygnus buccinator
Length: 55-62 inches
Weight: 17-30 pounds
Wingspan: 80-94 inches
Habitat: Wetlands and lakes
The trumpeter swan is the largest waterfowl species in North America. They have a white plumage with a black bill and feet. These swans are known for loud honking calls, hence the name “trumpeter.” They feed on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates.
Rare Visitors: The Occasional Guests of Alaska
In addition to the 19 regularly occurring duck species in Alaska, a few rare visitors sometimes make an appearance.
18. Eurasian Wigeon
Scientific Name: Mareca Penelope
Length: 16-22 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Wingspan: 30-34 inches
Habitat: Lakes and coastal waters
The Eurasian wigeon is a medium-sized duck with a rusty-red head, gray body, and white patches on its wings. They breed in northern Europe and Asia and occasionally visit Alaska in the winter. They feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates.
19. Tufted Duck
Scientific Name: Aythya fuligula
Length: 17-21 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Wingspan: 29-32 inches
Habitat: Inland lakes and wetlands
The tufted duck is a diving duck with a black body, white flanks, and a blue bill. They breed in Eurasia and occasionally visit Alaska in the fall and winter. They feed on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
