Types of ducks

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 28 January 2021
Update Date: 7 November 2024
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The term "duck" is commonly used to designate several species of birds belonging to the family Anatidae. Among all types of currently recognized ducks, there is a great morphological variety, as each of these species has its own characteristics in terms of appearance, behavior, habits and habitat. However, it is possible to find some essential characteristics of these birds, such as their morphology perfectly adapted to aquatic life, which makes them excellent swimmers, and their vocalization, usually translated by the onomatopoeia "quack".

In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will present 12 types of ducks that inhabit different parts of the world and we will reveal some of their main characteristics. Also, we've shown a list with more species of ducks, let's get started?


How many species of ducks are there?

Currently, around 30 species of ducks are known, which are grouped into 6 different subfamilies: Dendrocygninae (whistling ducks), Merginae, Oxyurinae (diving ducks), Sticktontinae andAnatinae (considered the subfamily "par excellence" and the most numerous). Each species can have two or more subspecies.

All these types of ducks are generally classified into two broad groups: domestic ducks and wild ducks. Commonly, the species Anas platyrhynchos domesticus it is called the "domestic duck", which is one of the types of ducks that are best adapted to breeding in captivity and to living with humans. However, there are other species that have also gone through a process of domestication, such as the musk duck, which is the domestic subspecies of the wild duck (Cairina Moschata).


In the next sections, we'll present the following types of wild and domestic ducks with pictures so you can identify them more easily:

  1. House duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)
  2. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
  3. Toicinho Teal (Anas Bahamensis)
  4. Carijó marreca (Anas cyanoptera)
  5. Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)
  6. Ovalet (Anas sibilatrix)
  7. wild duck (Cairina Moschata)
  8. Blue-billed Teal (Oxyura australis)
  9. Torrents Duck (merganetta armata)
  10. Irerê (Dendrocygna viduata)
  11. Harlequin duck​ (histrionicus histrionicus)
  12. Freckled Duck (Naevosa stictonetta)

1. House duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)

As we mentioned, the subspecies Anas platyrhynchos domesticus it is popularly known as domestic duck or common duck. It originated from the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) through a long process of selective breeding that allowed the creation of different breeds.


Originally, its creation was mainly intended for the exploitation of its meat, which has always been highly valued in the international market. The rearing of ducks as pets is quite recent, and today the white beijing is one of the most popular breeds of domestic ducks as a pet, as is the bell-khaki. Likewise, the breeds of farm ducks are also part of this group.

In the following sections, we'll look at some examples of the most popular wild ducks, each with its own unique characteristics and curiosities.

2. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

the mallard, also known as wild teal, is the species from which the domestic duck was developed. It is a migratory bird of abundant distribution, which inhabits temperate zones of North Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, migrating to the Caribbean and Central America. It was also introduced in Australia and New Zealand.

3. Toicinho Teal (Anas bahamensis)

The toicinho teal, also known as paturi, is one of the types of ducks native to the american continent, which stands out at first sight for having stained back and belly with numerous black freckles. Unlike most duck species, buckthorn teals are mainly found near brackish water ponds and swamps, although they can also adapt to freshwater bodies.

Currently, they know each other 3 subspecies of buckthorn teal:

  • Anas bahamensis bahamensis: inhabits the Caribbean, mainly in the Antilles and the Bahamas.
  • Anas bahamensis galapagensis: is endemic to the Galapagos Islands.
  • Anas bahamensis rubirostris: it is the largest subspecies and also the only one that is partially migratory, inhabiting South America, mainly between Argentina and Uruguay.

4. Carijó teal (Anas cyanoptera)

The carijó teal is a type of duck native to America that is also known as the cinnamon duck, but this name often leads to confusion with another species called netta rufina, which is native to Eurasia and North Africa and has great sexual dimorphism. The marreca-carijó is distributed throughout the American continent, from Canada to southern Argentina, in the province of Tierra del Fuego, and is also present in the Malvinas Islands.

Currently, are recognized 5 subspecies of the marreca-carijó:

  • Carijó-borrero marreca (Spatula cyanoptera borreroi): is the smallest subspecies and lives only in the mountains of Colombia. Its population has undergone a radical decline over the last century, and it is currently being investigated whether it might be extinct.
  • Carijó-Argentina (Spatula cyanoptera cyanoptera): is the largest subspecies, inhabiting from Peru and Bolivia to southern Argentina and Chile.
  • Carijó-Andean (Spatula cyanoptera orinomus): this is the typical subspecies of the Andes Mountains, inhabiting mainly Bolivia and Peru.
  • Marreca-carijó-do-nhell (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium): it is the only subspecies that inhabits only North America, mainly the United States.
  • Carijó-tropical (Spatula cyanoptera tropica): extends to almost all tropical regions of America.

5. Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata)

The mandarin duck is one of the most striking types of ducks due to the beautiful bright colors that adorn its plumage, being native to Asia, and more specifically to China and Japan. remarkable sexual dimorphism and only males display the attractive colored plumage, which becomes even brighter at breeding seasons to attract females.

An interesting curiosity is that, in traditional East Asian culture, the mandarin duck was considered a symbol of good fortune and conjugal love. In China, it was traditional to give a pair of mandarin ducks to the bride and groom during the wedding, representing the conjugal union.

6. Ovary Teal (Anas sibilatrix)

The ovary teal, commonly called mallard, inhabits central and southern South America, mainly in Argentina and Chile, and is also present in the Malvinas Islands. As he maintains migratory habits, he travels every year to Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay when low temperatures begin to be felt in the Southern Cone of the American continent. Although they feed on aquatic plants and prefer to live near deep bodies of water, octopus ducks are not very good swimmers, showing much more skill when it comes to flying.

It should be noted that it is equally common to call the wild duck mallard duck, which is why it is common for many people to think of this species of duck when they hear the term "mall duck". The truth is that both are considered mallard ducks, although they have different characteristics.

7. Wild duck (Cairina moschata)

Wild ducks, also known as creole ducks or wild ducks, are another of the types of ducks native to the American continent, living mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, from Mexico to Argentina and Uruguay. In general, they prefer to live in areas with abundant vegetation and close to abundant freshwater bodies, adapting to altitudes of up to 1000 meters above sea level.

Currently, are known 2 subspecies of wild ducks, one wild and the other domestic, let's see:

  • Cairina moschata sylvestris: is the wild subspecies of the wild duck, which is called mallard in South America. It stands out for its considerable size, black feathers (which are shiny in males and opaque in females) and white spots on the wings.
  • domestic moschata: it is the domestic species known as musk duck, mute duck or simply creole duck. It was developed from the selective breeding of wild specimens by indigenous communities during the pre-Columbian era. Its plumage can be more varied in color, but it is not as lustrous as that of wild ducks. It is also possible to see white spots on the neck, belly and face.

8. Blue-billed Teal (Oxyura australis)

The blue-billed teal is one of the little duck breeds divers originating in Oceania, currently inhabiting Australia and Tasmania. Adult individuals are about 30 to 35 cm long and usually live in freshwater lakes and can also nest in swamps. Their diet is mainly based on the consumption of aquatic plants and small invertebrates that provide proteins for their food, such as molluscs, crustaceans and insects.

In addition to its small size compared to other species of ducks, it also stands out for its blue beak, which is very noticeable on the dark plumage.

9. Torrent duck (Merganetta armata)

The torrent duck is one of the types of ducks characteristic of mountainous regions of high altitude in South America, being the Andes its main natural habitat. Its population is distributed from Venezuela to the extreme south of Argentina and Chile, in the province of Tierra del Fuego, adapting perfectly to altitudes of up to 4,500 meters and with a clear preference for fresh and cold water masses, such as lakes and rivers Andean, where they feed mainly on small fish and crustaceans.

As a characteristic fact, we highlight the sexual dimorphism that this species of duck presents, with the males having white plumage with brown spots and black lines on the head, and the females with reddish plumage and grayish wings and head. However, there are small differences between torrent ducks from different countries in South America, especially between male specimens, some being darker than others. In the image below you can see a female.

10. Irerê (Dendrocygna viduata)

The irerê is one of the most striking species of whistling ducks, not only for the white spot on his face, but also for having relatively long legs. It is a sedentary bird, native to Africa and America, which is especially active at twilight hours, flying for hours at night.

On the American continent we find the most abundant populations, which extend over Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia, Venezuela and Guianas, from the Amazon account in Peru and Brazil to the center of Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay. In Africa, the irerê they are concentrated in the western region of the continent and in the tropical area south of the Sahara desert.Eventually, some individuals can be found lost along the coast of Spain, mainly in the Canary Islands.

11. Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)

Harlequin duck is another of the most striking types of ducks due to its unique appearance, being the only species described within its genus (Histrionicus). Its body is rounded and its most striking feature is its bright plumage and fragmented patterns, which not only serve to attract females, but also to camouflage themselves in the cold, choppy waters of the rivers and lakes and streams where they usually live.

Its geographic distribution includes the northern part of North America, southern Greenland, eastern Russia and Iceland. Currently, 2 subspecies are recognized: histrionicus histrionicus histrionicus and Histrionicus histrionicus pacificus.

12. Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa)

The freckled duck is the only species described within the family. stictonetinae and originated in South Australia, where is protected by law because its population has been decreasing mainly due to changes in its habitat, such as water pollution and the advance of agriculture.

Physically, it stands out for being a type of large duck, with a robust head with a pointed crown and dark plumage with tiny white spots, which gives it the appearance of freckles. His flying ability is also impressive, although he is a little clumsy when landing.

other types of ducks

We want to mention the other types of ducks that, despite not being highlighted in this article, are also fascinating and deserve to be studied in more detail to understand the beauty of the diversity of ducks. Below, we mention the other species of ducks that inhabit our planet, some being dwarf or small and others large:

  • Blue-winged duck (Anas disagrees)
  • Brown Teal (Anas georgia)
  • Bronze-winged duck (Anas specularis)
  • Crested Duck (Anas specularoides)
  • Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
  • Red Teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis)
  • Brazilian Merganser (Merguso ctosetaceus)
  • Collared Cheetah (Callonettaleu Cophrys)
  • White-winged duck (Asarcornis scutulata)
  • Australian duck (Chenonetta jubata)
  • White-fronted duck (Pteronetta hartlaubii)
  • Steller's Eider Duck (Polysticta stelleri)
  • Labrador Duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius)
  • Black duck (black melanitta)
  • Tapered-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)
  • Golden-Eyed Duck (Clancula bucephala)
  • Little Merganser (Mergellus albellus)
  • Capuchin Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
  • American White-tailed Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
  • White-tailed duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
  • African White-tailed Duck (Oxyura macacoa)
  • Foot-in-the-Ass Teal (Oxyura vitata)
  • Crested Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotes)

If you want to read more articles similar to Types of ducks, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.