Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
Look for the peaked head and pale bill markings rather than the hard-to-see neck ring.
- Bird group
- Waterfowl & waterbirds
- Where to look
- Cool-season freshwater ponds
- Explore the region
- Coachella Valley bird guide
What to notice
- Look for the peaked head and pale bill markings rather than the hard-to-see neck ring.
- 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.
Where to look
Cool-season freshwater ponds
When to look
The profile describes a winter visitor to artificial lakes, ponds and marshes in the Coachella Valley.
Next time you are outside
Look for the peaked head and pale bill markings rather than the hard-to-see neck ring.
Habitat guidance is not a guaranteed sighting. Photographs may have been taken outside the valley.
Through the lens.
Select any photograph for a closer look. Move through the gallery with the arrows or a swipe.
This is a regional bird guide; photographs may also come from places beyond the valley. Locations are noted when available.
Know what to notice.
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.
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