Wild ducks are some of nature’s most vivid and overlooked works of art.
Beyond the familiar mallard, there are species bursting with colour, from the jewel-toned Mandarin duck to the electric hues of the Wood duck.
Each species tells a story through its feathers, shaped by habitat, migration, and even mating displays.
Whether gliding across quiet lakes or nesting in wetlands, these ducks are living rainbows in motion.
Here’s a look at some of the most colourful wild ducks and where you might spot them in their natural habitats.
All information is provided for general interest only. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
Availability of sightings may vary by region and season.
1. Mandarin Duck
Originating from East Asia, this species stands out as possibly the most colourful duck on Earth.
Males display orange sail-like feathers, emerald green crests, and purple chests that look almost painted on.
You can spot them in British Columbia parks where escaped ornamental birds have established wild populations.
They prefer wooded ponds with overhanging branches.
Winter months offer your best viewing chances when males show off their breeding colours.
Richmond Nature Park and Stanley Park in Vancouver host reliable sightings throughout colder seasons.
2. Wood Duck
North America’s most colourful native duck boasts a glossy green head with white stripes extending backward.
Burgundy chests meet golden sides, creating a palette that rivals tropical birds.
Wooded swamps and quiet forest streams across southern Canada provide ideal habitats.
Nest boxes placed near water have helped populations recover from historic lows.
Spring breeding season transforms males into living rainbows worth photographing.
Ontario’s Presqu’ile Provincial Park and Quebec’s Mont-Saint-Hilaire Nature Reserve offer excellent viewing opportunities during April and May migrations.
3. Harlequin Duck
Named after theatrical costume patterns, males wear slate blue plumage decorated with white crescents and spots.
Chestnut flanks add warmth to their cool-toned bodies.
Fast-moving mountain streams and turbulent coastal waters suit their adventurous lifestyle.
British Columbia’s coastline hosts the largest Canadian populations.
Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island provide front-row seats to observe these ducks navigating crashing waves.
Winter brings them to rocky shores where they dive for molluscs and crustaceans with impressive skill and determination.
4. Northern Pintail
Elegance defines this species with its chocolate brown head and needle-like tail feathers extending gracefully.
White necks flow into grey bodies creating subtle sophistication rather than flashy colours.
Prairie wetlands across the Canadian prairies serve as prime breeding grounds.
They prefer shallow marshes with abundant vegetation.
Saskatchewan’s Last Mountain Lake and Alberta’s Beaverhill Lake attract thousands during spring migration.
March through May offers peak viewing when males court females with elaborate head-bobbing displays that showcase their refined beauty.
5. Green-Winged Teal
Canada’s smallest dabbling duck packs colour into a compact frame.
Males sport chestnut heads with metallic green eye patches that shimmer in sunlight like jewels.
Shallow wetlands with muddy edges across all provinces provide feeding areas.
Their small size lets them use tiny ponds other ducks ignore.
Manitoba’s Oak Hammock Marsh and Nova Scotia’s Amherst Point Migratory Bird Sanctuary host large flocks.
September through October brings peak numbers as they gather before southern journeys, creating spectacular viewing opportunities.
6. Blue-Winged Teal
A bold white crescent adorns the slate grey head of breeding males, creating instant recognition.
Powder blue wing patches flash brilliantly during flight, revealing their namesake feature.
Prairie potholes and marshy wetlands throughout central Canada attract breeding pairs.
They arrive later than most ducks, preferring warmer spring temperatures.
Ontario’s Point Pelee National Park becomes a hotspot during May migration.
Observers can watch hundreds pass through, their blue wing patches catching light as they circle before landing on marsh waters.
7. Cinnamon Teal
Rich cinnamon-red plumage covers the entire body of breeding males, making them unmistakable among wetland ducks.
Bright red eyes add intensity to their warm-toned appearance.
Western Canadian marshes, particularly in British Columbia and Alberta, host small breeding populations.
They favour shallow alkaline wetlands with emergent vegetation.
The Okanagan Valley in BC offers reliable sightings from April through August.
Males lose their vibrant colours after breeding, adopting brown eclipse plumage that resembles females until autumn arrives with cooler temperatures.
8. Ring-Necked Duck
Despite its misleading name, the faint neck ring proves nearly invisible in the field.
Instead, focus on the glossy purple head that shines with iridescence and bright yellow eyes.
Forested lakes and beaver ponds across Canada provide nesting habitat.
They dive for aquatic plants and insects in deeper water than most dabbling ducks.
Quebec’s Gatineau Park and New Brunswick’s Kouchibouguac National Park host breeding populations.
Spring and autumn migrations concentrate birds on larger lakes where patient observers can study their diving behaviour closely.
9. Common Goldeneye
Brilliant golden eyes give this species its perfect name, glowing like amber against dark heads.
Males display glossy green heads with round white cheek spots resembling buttons.
Northern boreal forests near lakes and rivers provide nesting cavities in old trees.
They winter on ice-free coastal waters and large inland lakes.
Toronto’s harbourfront and Vancouver’s Coal Harbour attract wintering flocks.
Their wings create distinctive whistling sounds during flight, earning them the nickname whistler among longtime birdwatchers who recognize them by sound alone.
10. Hooded Merganser
When males raise their crests, a spectacular white fan bordered in black unfolds like a sail.
This dramatic display makes them one of the most recognizable ducks in Canadian waters.
Wooded ponds and slow-moving streams across southern Canada suit their tree-cavity nesting habits.
They hunt small fish with serrated bills designed for gripping slippery prey.
Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park offers excellent viewing along quiet lake shores.
Watch for their courtship displays in early spring when males throw their heads backward while pumping crests up and down repeatedly.
11. Barrow’s Goldeneye
Similar to Common Goldeneyes but with purple rather than green head gloss, males wear crescent-shaped white facial marks.
Golden eyes shine just as brightly, creating confusion for beginning birdwatchers.
Mountain lakes and rivers in western Canada host breeding populations.
They prefer higher elevations than their common cousins.
Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in Alberta provide reliable summer sightings.
Winter finds them on ice-free coastal waters of British Columbia where careful comparison with Common Goldeneyes sharpens identification skills and deepens appreciation for subtle differences.
