20 Ducks in Indiana That You Can Spot (Species + Seasons)

May 9, 2023

Indiana is a state that offers some great birdwatching opportunities, and if you are interested in ducks you won’t be disappointed! Happily, there are plenty of ducks that you can see when birdwatching in this state.

Below are some of the most common duck species encountered in Indiana, including when you might expect to see each one.

Some are year-round residents, others are seen in summer, and many more are common during the winter months. So, read on to learn a little more about these ducks that you might see in Indiana!

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 easily recognized, even by the most inexperienced birdwatcher. They are present in Indiana year-round and are recorded in almost a quarter of all birdwatchers’ checklists in this state in both summer and winter.

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)

Wood ducks sometimes reside in Indiana year-round. However, they are generally spotted here in summer, between March and October. During this time, they are recorded in 14% of state birdwatchers’ checklists.

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)

Blue-winged teals can be spotted through the summer in Indiana but are most frequently sighted during the periods of migration – especially during the spring migration when they are recorded on up to 22% of birdwatchers’ checklists in the state.

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)

Northern shovelers are also frequently spotted during the spring migration in March and April. They can also be located through the winter and are recorded on 3% of birdwatchers’ checklists during this time. This reaches up to 15% of checklists during the spring migration.

Gadwalls

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

While some gadwalls stay in Indiana through the whole year, most arrive in around September and depart by the middle of May. During the winter, 6% of birdwatchers’ checklists record spotting this species.

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)

Green-winged teals are recorded on 1% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists in Indiana. They are most frequently seen here between August and April, though they can be seen in any season.

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)

Appearing in 2% of winter Indiana birdwatchers’ checklists, the American wigeon is commonly spotted from its arrival in September through to its departure in April.

Northern Pintail

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

Also appearing as often as the above in checklists compiled by Indiana birdwatchers in winter, the northern pintail typically arrives in September and stays until around April.

American Black Ducks

Anas rubripes
Length: 19 – 23 in (48 – 58 cm)
Weight: 49.6 oz (1406 g)
Wingspan: 33 – 36 in (84 – 91 cm)

American black ducks have been spotted in Indiana all year. However, they are most frequently seen here between October and mid-April. Currently, they appear on 3% of the checklists compiled by birdwatchers in this state in winter.

Buffleheads

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

Buffleheads are diving ducks that are commonly spotted in Indiana between mid-September and early June. They are recorded in 5% of the checklists compiled by Indiana birdwatchers in winter.

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)

A few ring-necked ducks have been spotted in Indiana in all seasons. However, these ducks are generally seen here between October and 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 can also be seen in Indiana throughout the year. But these too are most commonly seen in winter, between October and May.

Birdwatchers have reported sightings of these ducks in 3% of the checklists compiled in this state in winter.

Redheads

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

Redheads are winter residents in Indiana. They typically arrive here in October and remain in the state until around April.

Ruddy Duck

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

You can expect to see ruddy ducks in Indiana in winter, between October and May. They are recorded in 3% of winter checklists submitted by Indiana birdwatchers.

Canvasbacks

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

This is another duck known to spend the winter in Indiana. Canvasbacks are reported in 2% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists in this state.

Mostly, they will arrive in October and depart in March, but some will remain in the area until June.

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)

Greater Scaups typically arrive in Indiana in October and depart around April. They are recorded in 1% of checklists compiled by birdwatchers in this state in winter.

Hooded Merganser

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

Some hooded mergansers stay in Indiana year-round, though most arrive in November and remain in the state until March. These birds are present on 7% of birdwatchers’ winter checklists in this state.

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)

Common goldeneyes appear in 8% of winter birdwatching checklists in Indiana. These ducks typically arrive in October and remain here until around May.

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)

Red-breasted mergansers are commonly seen in Indiana through the winter months. They typically arrive in the state around the middle of October and depart by May. Red-breasted mergansers are reported on 2% of Indiana winter birdwatchers’ checklists.

Common Merganser

Mergus merganser
Length: 22 – 27 in (56 – 69 cm)
Weight: 60.8 oz (1723 g)
Wingspan: 31 – 37 in (79 – 94 cm)

Another merganser to see in Indiana is the Common Merganser. These ducks also commonly arrive in October and leave by May. Common Mergansers are listed in 3% of winter birdwatchers’ checklists in this state.

This is not a comprehensive list, as many other ducks can be seen at least occasionally in this state. However, the ducks listed above are among the most common ducks encountered in Indiana.