Some species of ducks are known for having brightly colored red or reddish faces. The red coloration is particularly noticeable on the area around the bill and eyes. This distinctive facial coloring helps ducks communicate and identify each other within their species. For duck enthusiasts and bird watchers, knowing which duck species have red faces can help with easy identification. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ducks with red faces found around the world.
Redhead Duck
The redhead duck (Aythya americana) is aptly named for its bright rusty red head and neck. The male redhead duck has a rounded head that appears reddish-brown during non-breeding season. In breeding plumage, the male’s head takes on a brighter crimson-red color. The eyes also stand out with their striking yellow hue.
Redhead ducks breed in prairie regions of central North America. They are diving ducks found primarily on large, shallow lakes and marshes. Their breeding range centers on the Prairie Pothole Region, extending from central Canada through the midwestern United States.
During the winter, redhead ducks migrate in large flocks to coastal areas. They are found wintering along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.
| Scientific Name | Aythya americana |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Red-headed duck |
| wingspan | 81–95 cm |
| Length | 48–61 cm |
| Weight | 0.9–1.6 kg |
Rosybill Duck
The rosybill duck (Netta peposaca) is a brightly colored duck native to South America. As their name suggests, rosybill ducks have a distinctive pink or reddish bill. The eyes are also a striking yellow. The male’s head and neck feathers are a deep chestnut color with glossy green and purple iridescence. The breast is black and the back brownish-grey. The female is less colorful overall, with a grey-brown head and mottled body.
Rosybills inhabit marshy wetlands, ponds and lakes mainly in central and southern South America. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay are part of their natural range. They are non-migratory ducks that prefer shallow, vegetated waters.
Although not globally threatened, rosybill ducks have declined in some regions due to habitat loss and competition with exotic duck species. They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Maintaining natural wetlands and limiting introduction of invasive species can help protect rosybill populations.
| Scientific Name | Netta peposaca |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Rosy-billed pochard, South American rosybill |
| Length | 41–51 cm |
| Wingspan | 72–80 cm |
| Weight | 800-1400 g |
Common Pochard
The common pochard (Aythya ferina) is a medium-sized diving duck found across Eurasia. The male has a red head with a greyish body, while the female is brown. In breeding plumage, the male’s crimson head color is especially vibrant. Common pochards breed in marshes and lakes from Europe to western Asia. They are strongly migratory, wintering farther south in coastal areas of the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and parts of the Middle East.
These fast flying ducks feed mainly by diving underwater to catch aquatic plants, seeds, mollusks and insects. They prefer large, open bodies of fresh water and nest in dense marsh vegetation. Threats include wetland drainage, pollution and hunting pressures in parts of their range. Their global population appears to be declining but is still sufficiently large enough to be considered Least Concern status by the IUCN.
| Scientific Name | Aythya ferina |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Eurasian pochard, Red-headed pochard |
| Length | 40–49 cm |
| Wingspan | 72–84 cm |
| Weight | 700 g – 1.4 kg |
Marbled Duck
The marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris) is medium-sized duck named for the striking marbled pattern on its plumage. Native to southern Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia, these ducks have seen steep declines recently. Loss of habitat has reduced their population size and range dramatically. The marbled duck is classified as Vulnerable with an estimated global population under 20,000.
The male marbled duck has a deep reddish head and mottled brown body. The female is more cryptically patterned overall with a paler brown head. These shy ducks are found only in low density even within their limited range. They frequent shallow freshwater habitats like marshes, lakes and ponds surrounded by vegetation. Conservation efforts aimed at restoring and protecting key wetland areas will be vital for preserving marbled duck populations.
| Scientific Name | Marmaronetta angustirostris |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Marbled teal |
| Length | 36–39 cm |
| Wingspan | 59–73 cm |
| Weight | 450-800 g |
Mandarin Duck
Few ducks can compete with the fantastically colored and boldly patterned mandarin duck (Aix galericulata). The male mandarin duck has a red bill and a striking red face framed by bushy “whiskers.” This Asian duck gets its name from the Chinese Ming Dynasty mandarin noblemen, as the males resemble their flowing robes.
Mandarin ducks breed across eastern Russia, China, Korea and Japan. They thrive around forested lakes and ponds. Outside the breeding season, they may wander farther and turn up as rare vagrants in Europe and North America. These elaborately decorated ducks were once the exclusive property of Chinese Emperors. Centuries of captive breeding have resulted in beautiful ornamental varieties.
The global mandarin duck population is declining with habitat loss, especially due to logging of their forested breeding areas. Classified as Least Concern, more habitat protection can help maintain healthy mandarin populations. Their bright beauty makes them sought after by waterfowl collectors, so captive breeding and protection from over-hunting is also important.
| Scientific Name | Aix galericulata |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Chinese mandarin duck |
| Length | 41–49 cm |
| Wingspan | 65–75 cm |
| Weight | 0.6–1.4 kg |
Brazilian Teal
The Brazilian teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis) is a small dabbling duck named for the vermillion red face and throat of the breeding male. Native to South America, Brazilian teals inhabit freshwater marshes, ponds and streams from Colombia and Venezuela south to Chile and Argentina.
Outside of the breeding season, the male’s red facial markings fade to a pale salmon color. The female is light brown overall with darker mottling that provides camouflage while nesting in marsh grasses. Though not under immediate threat, some populations have declined due to conversion of grassland habitat. IUCN Red List status remains Least Concern.
As their common name suggests, the core range of Brazilian teals centers on Brazil, including the vast Pantanal wetlands. Protecting habitats like the tropical wetlands of the Pantanal will be key to ensuring thriving Brazilian teal populations. These attractive, pint-sized ducks add a splash of color to South American wetlands.
| Scientific Name | Amazonetta brasiliensis |
|---|---|
| Other Common Names | Brazilian duck |
| Length | 30–36 cm |
| Wingspan | 50–55 cm |
| Weight | 0.3 – 0.6 kg |
Conclusion
The ducks with red faces form a diverse group found on various continents. Ranging from the subtropics to the taiga, red-faced duck species occupy an array of wetland habitats. Male ducks especially tend to show brighter “breeding plumage” during courtship season. Yet even in the drabber eclipse plumage, the signature red face stands out. For naturalists and waterfowl enthusiasts, watching for a flash of red can reveal the presence of these remarkable waterbirds. From the shimmering greens and purples of the mandarin duck to the cryptic patterns of the marbled duck, the world’s red-faced ducks display a spectrum of natural beauty. As with many waterfowl species, habitat loss poses the biggest threat. Conserving wetland ecosystems will be crucial to ensuring the survival of these uniquely colored ducks.
