Waterfowl Identification
There are several resources to help you identify ducks. However, there is no substitute for going into the field and practicing identifying birds in flight.
Approximately 20 species of waterfowl regularly winter in Florida. Blue- and green-winged teal, shovelers and other puddle ducks frequent shallow marshes. Large numbers of redheads winter on the Gulf Coast. Scaup (bluebills) congregate in brackish marsh and lagoons. In addition, mottled ducks, wood ducks, black-bellied whistling ducks and fulvous whistling ducks live in Florida year-round and can be found in many types of wetland areas.
Canada geese also live in Florida year-round. They are expanding into rural and agricultural lands where they can be hunted. The largest populations are around Leon and Duval counties, however, they can be found throughout areas of north and central Florida. There is a September season, along with a two-phase regular season that closely aligns with duck season. Find information about season dates and bag limits.
Mottled duck
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Blue-winged teal
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
American green-winged teal
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Lesser scaup (bluebill)
Photo courtesy of USFWS
Redhead
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Wood duck
Black-bellied whistling duck
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Fulvous whistling duck
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Northern shoveler
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Ring-necked duck
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
American wigeon
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Gadwall
Hooded merganser
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Bufflehead
Northern pintail
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld
Ruddy duck
Canvasback
American coot
Photo courtesy of Ron Bielefeld