Wood Duck Similar Species Comparison

Main SpeciesWood Duck

Male

Gorgeous duck with intricate plumage: green, crested head, chestnut breast and other bold markings.

Female

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.

Male

Male is spectacularly colored, with a glossy green head, chestnut breast, buffy sides, reddish bill, and red eyes.

Wood Ducks have a unique shape among ducks—a boxy, crested head, a thin neck, and a long, broad tail. In flight, they hold their head up high, sometimes bobbing it. Overall, their silhouette shows a skinny neck, long body, thick tail, and short wings.

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Eclipse male

Grayish brown plumage with whiter throat, bright red eye, and red and white bill.

Female

In flight the blue secondaries with a bold white stripe on the trailing edge are obvious.

Female and male

Found on shallow lakes and ponds, often swimming near the edges among emergent or overhanging vegetation.

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Male and female

Gray underwings of breeding males contrast with the rest of the plumage.

Immature

Immature is similar to female in coloration.

Male and female

Female lacks bright patterns of male, but has unique crested head shape and large white teardrop patch around eye.

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Male

Glossy green head with prominent crest at the rear, white throat, bright red eye, and red-and-white bill.

Female and chick

Fluffy young are dark above with pale yellowish underparts and face.

Female

Often perches on tree limbs. Note white line at edge of blue "speculum" patch in the wing

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Male and female

Nests in cavities, including artificial nest boxes.

Female

Often perches on branches, sometimes far from water.

Similar SpeciesGreen-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.

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