If you walk about our lakeshore or riverbanks in summer, there are few species of ducks to be found: mallard, mallards, mallards and the occasional American Black Duck. If you are in High Park, Wood Ducks will likely be spotted.

In winter, however, we get a wide number of species. The Mallards, Black Ducks and Wood Ducks are still here but the other will be found breeding far north, east or west of here.

Here are photos of ducks being found reasonably commonly this January.

POND DUCKS:

Green-winged Teal

Northern Shoveler:

Wood Duck:

American Wigeon:

Mallard:

Gadwall:

American Black Duck:

DIVING DUCKS

White-winged Scoter:

Long-tailed Duck:

Harlequin Duck

Redhead:

Greater Scaup:

Lesser Scaup:

Common Goldeneye:

Bufflehead:

MERGANSERS:

Common Merganser:

Red-breasted Merganser:

Hooded Merganser:

Coot: The Coot is a member of the rail family but is often seen with ducks. Females and Males look alike.

Shakespeare Quote:

the grisly north
Disgorges such a tempest forth,
That, as a duck for life that dives,
So up and down the poor ship drives

Pericles, act 3, prologue

Miles Hearn