Dabbling Ducks

Here's a list of all the UK Dabbling Ducks:

Teal

Teals, the smallest of dabbling ducks, exhibit distinct colours and patterns.

Male teals boast a chestnut head with a striking green patch near the eye, a speckled chest, and grey sides, highlighted by a yellow-tailed border. In contrast, female teals display a mottled brown plumage.

Both sexes share a notable feature: vivid green wing patches visible during flight. These ducks are commonly found in UK’s marshlands and exhibit a blend of colours that make them easily distinguishable from other duck species.

Differences Between Male And Female Teals

Male and female teals can be differentiated by their distinct colouration. The males, or drakes, are characterised by their grey bodies, speckled breasts, and the notable chestnut head with a green eye patch.

Females, or hens, are predominantly mottled brown, which offers camouflage in their natural habitat. However, both genders share the bright green wing patch, a key identifying feature, especially visible during flight.

Shoveler

Shovelers are easily recognised by their large, spoon-shaped bills, perfect for surface feeding. The males boast a striking appearance with dark green heads, contrasting white breasts, and chestnut sides. Females, on the other hand, display a mottled brown plumage.

Both genders exhibit distinctive light blue and green patches on their wings when in flight. These ducks typically measure 44-52cm in length with a wingspan of 70-84cm.

Differences Between Male And Female Shovelers

During the breeding season, male Shovelers are particularly colourful with their dark green heads and bright white breasts, accompanied by orange-brown sides. Females, in contrast, are more subtly coloured with mottled brown feathers.

Interestingly, male Shovelers undergo a transformation outside the breeding season, adopting a more camouflaged, mottled brown ‘eclipse’ plumage similar to the females.

Shelduck

Shelducks stand out with their vibrant and unique appearance. They’re larger than your typical mallard but smaller than a goose. These birds boast a dark green head and neck, complemented by a chestnut belly stripe. Their red bill adds a dash of bright colour, making them easily identifiable.

Differences Between Male And Female Shelducks

While male and female Shelducks share similar colouration, there are subtle differences. The male Shelduck, especially during the breeding season, displays more vivid colours. His bill turns a brighter red and features a noticeable knob on the forehead.

Females, on the other hand, are generally smaller and have distinct white facial markings.

Mallard

Mallards are large, distinctive ducks with a stout body and a broad bill. Males are notable for their striking green heads and yellow bills, while females display a mottled brown plumage with an orange and brown bill.

Differences Between Male And Female Mallards

Males, or drakes, have a vibrant green head and a white ring around their neck, separating the dark chest from the grey body. Females, or hens, have a speckled brown appearance, which provides excellent camouflage.

Garganey

Garganeys are petite dabbling ducks, smaller than Mallards but slightly larger than Teals.

The male is recognisable by its distinctive broad white stripe over the eye and pale blue forewing noticeable in flight. Their brown and black beaks and grey legs complement their predominantly cream, brown, grey, green, and blue plumage.

Differences Between Male And Female Garganeys

Male Garganeys in breeding plumage boast dark brown backs with pale fringes, a rust-coloured foreneck with white flecks, and a prominent white headband.

In contrast, females are more subdued, with a scalloped pattern on their bodies and less distinct head markings. Males in eclipse plumage look like females but retain stronger head markings and a white-coloured chin.

Gadwall

Gadwalls, a species of dabbling duck, are known for their predominantly grey feathers, intricately patterned with fine stripes and speckling upon closer inspection.

They’re slightly smaller than Mallards, distinguished by a characteristic black rear and a noticeable white wing patch during flight. Adult males exhibit a striking white speculum, particularly visible both in flight and at rest.

Differences Between Male And Female Gadwalls

Gadwalls are known for their subtle yet elegant appearance.

The male Gadwall, particularly during the breeding season, boasts a patterned grey body, chestnut wings, a distinct black rear, and a striking white speculum.

Outside of breeding season, males resemble females but retain their wing patterns and are generally greyer with less orange-tint on their bills.

Female Gadwalls, on the other hand, are predominantly light brown, similar to female mallards but distinguishable by their dark orange on the edge of their bills, smaller size, white speculum, and white belly.

Both sexes undergo two annual moults after a juvenile moult.

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