Wood Duck Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Green-winged Teal
Breeding male (American)
Smaller than Wood Duck with a rounder head. Green-winged Teal lacks the Wood Duck's bold white striping, and is more solid gray on the breast and sides.
© Jeff Stacey | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 22, 2017Similar Species
Green-winged Teal
Female/nonbreeding male
Smaller than Wood Duck with a rounder head. Female teal lack white eye patch seen on female Wood Ducks.
© Luke Seitz | Macaulay LibraryMaine, September 21, 2011Similar Species
Mallard
Breeding male (Northern)
Mallards have a rounder head than Wood Ducks and males do not have the ornate head pattern of Wood Ducks.
© Liron Gertsman | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 21, 2015Similar Species
Mallard
Female (Northern)
Mallards have a rounder head than Wood Ducks. Females do not have the white eye patch seen on female Wood Ducks.
© Steeve R. Baker | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 02, 2017Similar Species
Hooded Merganser
Breeding male
Hooded Mergansers have a longer, thinner bill than Wood Ducks. Males have a bold white patch on the head and a white breast that Wood Ducks lack.
© Ryan Schain | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 24, 2015Similar Species
Hooded Merganser
Nonbreeding male
Hooded Mergansers have a longer, thinner bill than Wood Ducks and females lack the white eye patch.
© Amanda Guercio | Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 12, 2012Main Species
Wood Duck
Male
Gorgeous duck with intricate plumage: green, crested head, chestnut breast and other bold markings.
© Ryan Schain | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 25, 2014Female
Warm brown plumage with grayer, slightly crested head. White teardrop around the eye; white also along the edge of dark blue "speculum" patch in the wings.
© Epi Shemming | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, February 02, 2017Female and male
Found on shallow lakes and ponds, often swimming near the edges among emergent or overhanging vegetation.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryArkansas, March 18, 2005Not all videos have sound
Eclipse male
Grayish brown plumage with whiter throat, bright red eye, and red and white bill.
© Jake Dingel | Macaulay LibraryOhio, August 09, 2018Female
In flight the blue secondaries with a bold white stripe on the trailing edge are obvious.
© Larry Therrien | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 13, 2016Male and female
Female lacks bright patterns of male, but has unique crested head shape and large white teardrop patch around eye.
© Tim Laman | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 17, 2009Not all videos have sound
Male and female
Gray underwings of breeding males contrast with the rest of the plumage.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 23, 2019Female
Often perches on tree limbs. Note white line at edge of blue "speculum" patch in the wing
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryArkansas, March 18, 2005Not all videos have sound
Male
Glossy green head with prominent crest at the rear, white throat, bright red eye, and red-and-white bill.
© Ryan Sanderson | Macaulay LibraryIndiana, April 17, 2020Female and chick
Fluffy young are dark above with pale yellowish underparts and face.
© Gerry Hawkins | Macaulay LibraryVirginia, April 25, 2016Male and female
In flight, look for dark chest contrasting with neat white belly patch.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryArkansas, April 21, 2004Not all videos have sound
Male and female
Nests in cavities, including artificial nest boxes.
© Janis Stone | Macaulay LibraryVirginia, March 21, 2016Female
Often perches on branches, sometimes far from water.
© Michael Warner | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, April 25, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.