20 Ducks in Alabama You Can Spot (Species + Seasons)

May 9, 2023

Alabama boasts plenty of interesting birds, including a variety of ducks. Below, we list some of the ducks that you are likely to encounter in this state and explain when you’ll be able to see them!

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos
Length: 19.7 – 25.6 in (50 – 65 cm)
Weight: 35.3 – 45.9 oz (1000 – 1300 g)
Wingspan: 32.3 – 37.4 in (82 – 95 cm)

Mallards are common and easily-recognized ducks that are present in Alabama all year round. However, they are recorded more frequently on birdwatchers’ checklists in the winter than they are during the summer months.

Wood Ducks

Aix sponsa
Length: 18.5 – 21.3 in (47 -54 cm)
Weight: 16.0 – 30.4 oz (454 – 862 g)
Wingspan: 26.0 – 28.7 in (66 – 73 cm)

Another duck that is present year-round in Alabama, wood ducks appear in 4% of birdwatchers’ checklists, both in the summer and during the winter months.

Gadwalls

Mareca strepera
Length: 19 – 23 in (48 – 58 cm)
Weight: 35.27 oz (1000 g)
Wingspan: 31 – 36 in (79 – 91 cm)

Gadwalls are sometimes present in Alabama year-round. However, they are mainly spotted here during the winter months, so the best time to see them is between November and March.

Blue-Winged Teal

Spatula discors
Length: 15 – 17 in (38 – 43 cm)
Weight: 19.18 oz (544 g)
Wingspan: 23 -31 in (58 – 79 cm)

You may see blue-winged teals in Alabama at any time of the year. However, they are commonly spotted in this state during the migration periods in spring and fall. Look out for them between March and May, and then between August and November.

Northern Shovelers

Spatula clypeata
Length: 17.3 – 20.1 in (44 – 51 cm)
Weight: 14.1 – 28.9 oz (400 – 820 g)
Wingspan: 27.2 – 33.1 in (69 – 84 cm)

While a few Northern Shovelers have been seen in this state all year, these ducks are usually spotted in Alabama during the winter. They typically arrive in September and leave in May.

Green-Winged Teal

Anas crecca
Length: 12.2 – 15.3 in (31 – 39 cm)
Weight: 4.9 – 17.6 oz (140 – 500 g)
Wingspan: 20.5 – 23.2 in (52 – 59 cm)

Another bird that can be spotted over the winter months, most commonly between September and the middle of May, is the green-winged teal. These appear in 2% of checklists submitted by birdwatchers in this state.

American Wigeon

Mareca americana
Length: 16.5 – 23.2 in (42 – 59 cm)
Weight: 19.1 – 46.9 oz (540 – 1330 g)
Wingspan: 33.1 in (84 cm)

Also recorded in 2% of checklists submitted by birdwatchers in this state, the American wigeon is typically present here between October and March.

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta
Length: 20 – 26 in (51 – 66 cm)
Weight: 36.33 oz (1030 g)
Wingspan: 29 – 35 in (74 – 89 cm)

Another bird seen with around the same frequency in winter as the two ducks above is the Northern Pintail. This duck arrives in Alabama in November and can be often spotted until around February.

Ring-Necked Ducks

Aythya collaris
Length: 14 – 18 in (36 – 46 cm)
Weight: 32.09 oz (909 g)
Wingspan: 24 – 30 in (61 – 76 cm)

Some ring-necked ducks can be seen in Alabama year-round. However, most are spotted here between November and March. 6% of checklists submitted to show winter sightings by birdwatchers in this state record this species.

Buffleheads

Bucephala albeola
Length: 13 – 16 in (33 – 41 cm)
Weight: 21.16 oz (600 g)
Wingspan: 20 – 24 in (51-61 cm)

Buffleheads spend the winter in Alabama, appearing in 6% of birdwatchers’ checklists in this state. They are usually spotted between November and the middle of May.

Lesser Scaup

Aythya affinis
Length: 15 – 18 in (38 – 49 cm)
Weight: 40.77 oz (1155 g)
Wingspan: 24 – 33 in (61– 84 cm)

Lesser Scaup is sometimes seen throughout the year. However, they are mostly reported as having been seen in Alabama between November and April and are recorded on 4% of birdwatchers’ winter checklists.

Ruddy Ducks

Oxyura jamaicensis
Length: 14 – 16 in (35.56 – 40.64 cm)
Weight: 28.04 oz (795 g)
Wingspan: 21 – 24 in (53 – 61 cm)

Some ruddy ducks reside in Alabama year-round, b most stay here for the winter. They typically arrive in November and depart in March and are recorded in 2% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists for this state.

Redheads

Aythya americana
Length: 18 -22 in (46 – 56 cm)
Weight: 43.03 oz (1219 g)
Wingspan: 29 – 35 in (74 – 89 cm)

Redheads also appear in 2% of the birdwatchers’ checklists for this state. These too can sometimes be spotted here year-round, but are most commonly seen between November and April.

Mottled Ducks

Anas fulvigula
Length: 20 – 22 in (51 -56 cm)
Weight: 36.8 oz (1043 g)
Wingspan: 30 in (76 cm)

Though not particularly common in Alabama, these ducks are year-round residents which can be spotted in the south of the state.

Canvasbacks

Aythya valisineria
Length: 19 – 24 in (48 – 61 cm)
Weight: 58.48 oz (1657 g)
Wingspan: 28 – 36 in (71 – 91 cm)

Another winter resident in Alabama, the Canvasback occurs in 1% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists. It is typically present here between October and the middle of May.

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila
Length: 15.3 – 22.1 in (39 – 56 cm)
Weight: 25.6 – 48.0 oz (726 – 1360 g)
Wingspan: 28.4 – 31.1 in (72 – 79 cm)

Recorded in 1% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists, the Greater Scaup can be spotted in Alabama between October and May.

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatus
Length: 16 – 19 in (41 – 48 cm)
Weight: 32.09 oz (909 g)
Wingspan: 24 – 26 in (61 – 66 cm)

These ducks are also typically spotted in Alabama during the winter months. Present between November and March as a general rule, hooded mergansers are recorded in 4% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists for this state.

Red-Breasted Merganser

Mergus serrator
Length: 16 – 26 in (41 – 66 cm)
Weight: 47.61 oz (1349 g)
Wingspan: 31 – 35 in (79 – 89 cm)

Another merganser to look out for in Alabama through the winter, between November and April, is the red-breasted merganser. It is recorded in 2% of Alabama birdwatchers’ winter checklists.

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula
Length: 15.8 – 20.1 in (40 – 51 cm)
Weight: 21.2 – 45.9 oz (600 – 1300 g)
Wingspan: 30.3 – 32.7 in (77 – 83 cm)

Another winter resident of the state, the common goldeneye is another interesting sea duck to look out for. They are typically spotted here between October and May and appear in 2% of birdwatchers’ checklists during this time.

Black Scoter

Melanitta americana
Length: 17 – 21 in (43 – 53 cm)
Weight: 387.4 oz (1088 g)
Wingspan: 30 – 35 in (76 – 89 cm)

Though they are sadly a near-threatened species in Alabama, Black Scoter can be spotted here during the winter, predominantly in the south of the state. Look out for them between November and May.

These are not the only ducks that can be seen in this state, and you may well see several more on occasion. However, if you are keen to learn more about the ducks in this region, then looking out for the above species is a good place to begin!