Ring-necked Duck

A medium-sized diving duck commonly found in freshwater habitats, including ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers. Despite its name, the subtle chestnut-colored ring around its neck is rarely visible, making the species more easily identified by other key markings.

Identification

• Males: Glossy black head, back, and breast, with a white belly and distinctive white "spur" on the side. Their bill is gray with a white band near the tip and a black tip.
• Females: More subdued in color, with a brown body, a paler face, and a white eye-ring. Their bill has similar white markings but is less pronounced than in males.
• Size: 15–18 inches long, with a wingspan of about 24 inches.

Behavior and Adaptations

Unlike many diving ducks, Ring-necked Ducks can take off directly from the water without a long running start. They often forage by diving, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates. They are more adaptable to shallow freshwater habitats than some of their close relatives, such as scaup or canvasbacks.

Habitat and Range in the Coachella Valley

While not year-round residents, Ring-necked Ducks are common winter visitors to the Coachella Valley, often seen in artificial lakes, ponds, and marshes. They migrate from northern breeding grounds in Canada and the northern U.S. to spend the cooler months in California and other southern regions.

Ecological Role

As omnivores, Ring-necked Ducks contribute to the health of wetland ecosystems by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds from the plants they consume. They are also prey for raptors such as peregrine falcons and bald eagles.