Ducks that migrate are some of the most remarkable travelers in the bird world. Each year, they journey thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds, guided by instinct, environmental cues, and the changing seasons. Their migrations are often synchronized with shifts in temperature and food availability, ensuring they reach areas rich in resources when they need them most.
During migration, these ducks fly in organized formations, most commonly the familiar “V” shape. This arrangement helps reduce air resistance and allows the flock to conserve energy over long distances. They communicate through calls and subtle movements, maintaining coordination even during night flights or over vast stretches of water. Such teamwork is essential to their survival on these demanding journeys.
Their migration routes, known as flyways, often span entire continents. Some species travel from northern breeding regions to warmer southern climates, crossing mountains, deserts, and oceans along the way. Along these routes, wetlands, lakes, and estuaries serve as vital stopover points where the birds can rest and refuel before continuing. These habitats are crucial for maintaining healthy migratory populations.
The physical changes ducks undergo before migration are equally fascinating. They build up fat reserves to sustain them through the journey and molt into durable plumage suited for flight. As daylight hours shorten, hormonal changes trigger their instinct to begin moving, a natural rhythm that repeats year after year with remarkable precision.
Types of Ducks That Migrate
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)
Found in: Breeds across the Arctic and Northern Hemisphere; winters in southern North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
A graceful, long-necked dabbling duck known for its swift flight. Pintails undertake some of the most extensive migrations, with some birds traveling from Alaska to Central America or from Siberia to sub-Saharan Africa.
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)
Found in: Breeds across northern North America and Eurasia; winters in the southern United States, Central America, Southern Europe, and South Asia.
One of the smallest dabbling ducks, the Green-winged Teal is also one of the swiftest fliers. They form fast, tight flocks and migrate later than many other species, often moving in response to freezing conditions.
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
Found in: Breeds across northern North America, Europe, and Asia; winters in the southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.
Easily identified by its large, spoon-shaped bill, the Northern Shoveler is a widespread migrant. They travel along major flyways, filtering tiny invertebrates and seeds from the water with their specialized bills.
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)
Found in: Breeds in the Arctic tundra of North America and Eurasia; winters along coastlines, including the Great Lakes, Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and throughout Europe and Asia.
A diving duck that forms massive flocks, or “rafts,” on large bodies of water during winter. They migrate from their high-Arctic breeding grounds to ice-free coastal bays and estuaries.
Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)
Found in: Breeds in the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia; winters on ice-free lakes, rivers, and coastal waters in temperate zones.
A striking diving duck that nests in tree cavities. Their migration is closely tied to the freezing and thawing of freshwater lakes. They are strong fliers, often heard by the whistling of their wings.
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
Found in: Breeds in the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada; winters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America and the southern United States.
A small, chunky diving duck that, like the goldeneye, is a cavity nester. They migrate relatively short to medium distances compared to other species, moving to sheltered coastal waters and open inland lakes.
Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)
Found in: Breeds in the high Arctic; winters in northern coastal waters, including the Great Lakes, the Baltic Sea, and the coasts of Japan and New England.
This sea duck undergoes one of the most extensive migrations of any waterfowl. Some populations travel from the tundra of the high Arctic to wintering grounds as far south as the North Atlantic, spending most of their life at sea.
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)
Found in: Breeds in northwestern North America and Alaska; winters throughout the southern United States, Mexico, and Central America.
A dabbling duck known for grazing on land like a goose. They are common and widespread migrants, often seen in mixed flocks with other dabblers. Their distinctive whistling call is a hallmark of winter marshes.
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)
Found in: Breeds in the prairie pothole regions of North America; winters on large lakes, estuaries, and coastal bays across the southern United States and Mexico.
A large, sleek diving duck prized by hunters. They are powerful fliers that form V-shaped formations during migration. Their populations are closely monitored as indicators of wetland health.
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Found in: Native across the Northern Hemisphere; introduced widely.
While many Mallard populations are resident year-round, northern breeders are highly migratory. They are one of the latest fall migrants, often moving south only after cold weather freezes their feeding waters. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in a wide range of wintering habitats.
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
Found in: Breeds across northern North America, Europe, and Asia; winters in the southern United States, Central America, Southern Europe, Africa, and South Asia.
A somewhat understated dabbling duck, the Gadwall is a common and widespread migrant. They often travel in small flocks and are known for their adaptability, wintering on a variety of freshwater marshes, lakes, and even sewage ponds.
Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope)
Found in: Breeds across northern Europe and Asia; winters in Western Europe, Southern Asia, and occasionally the western coasts of North America.
A common Old World counterpart to the American Wigeon. Large numbers migrate south from their Scandinavian and Siberian breeding grounds to winter in the milder climates of Western Europe and around the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Redhead (Aythya americana)
Found in: Breeds in the prairie pothole regions of North America; winters in the southern United States and Mexico, particularly along the Gulf Coast.
A medium-sized diving duck that forms large, social flocks. Their migration is a direct route from the interior “duck factory” of North America to warm coastal estuaries and inland reservoirs.
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)
Found in: Breeds across the boreal forests of North America; winters throughout the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Despite its name, the ring on its neck is rarely visible. This diving duck is a common and familiar migrant on freshwater lakes and rivers. They are often seen in large, mixed flocks with scaup and other divers.
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
Found in: Breeds across northern North America; winters primarily in Central and South America, with some reaching as far as northern Argentina.
One of the latest ducks to migrate north in spring and one of the earliest to head south in fall. Some Blue-winged Teal undertake a remarkable long-distance migration, traveling from Canada to the tropics.
Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera)
Found in: Breeds in western North America and South America; northern populations migrate to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.
The brightly colored male is unmistakable. Populations in western North America are medium-distance migrants, moving from breeding grounds in the Great Basin and California to wintering areas in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)
Found in: Breeds across Europe and Asia; winters in Western Europe, the Mediterranean, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
A common diving duck in the Old World. Vast numbers migrate from their northern and eastern European breeding grounds to ice-free lakes and coastal estuaries in western and southern Europe.
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
Found in: Breeds across northern Europe and Asia; winters throughout Europe, North Africa, and Southern Asia.
Easily identified by the drooping crest on the male’s head, this diving duck is a common migrant. They often winter on large, ice-free lakes, reservoirs, and coastal bays, frequently mixing with scaup and pochards.
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)
Found in: Breeds along Arctic and northern coastlines of North America, Europe, and Siberia; winters slightly south along rocky coastlines.
The largest duck in the Northern Hemisphere. Eiders are sea ducks that migrate relatively short distances, moving from high-latitude breeding grounds to ice-free, sub-Arctic and temperate coastal waters for the winter.
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Found in: Breeds along fast-flowing rivers in northern North America, Iceland, and Eastern Siberia; winters on rocky coastlines.
A strikingly patterned sea duck. Eastern North American populations migrate from inland breeding streams in Labrador and Quebec to wintering grounds on the Atlantic coast. Their migration is a dramatic shift from turbulent freshwater to pounding surf.
White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi)
Found in: Breeds in the boreal forests and tundra of Alaska and Canada; winters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.
The largest of the scoters, this sea duck migrates from its freshwater breeding lakes to coastal marine environments. They are strong, direct fliers, often traveling in long, wavering lines low over the water.
Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)
Found in: Breeds in the boreal forests of Alaska and Canada; winters along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America.
A distinctive sea duck with a unique bill pattern. Surf Scoters undertake a significant migration from their remote northern breeding grounds to winter along coastlines, where they dive in the surf for mollusks and crustaceans.
Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)
Found in: Breeds in the tundra and taiga of Alaska and eastern Siberia; winters along both coasts of North America and in Eastern Asia.
The male is the only all-black duck with a bright yellow knob on its bill. They are long-distance migrants, with some populations moving from Siberia to wintering grounds off the coasts of Japan and Korea.
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
Found in: Breeds in the prairie pothole regions of North America; winters in the southern United States and Mexico.
A small, stiff-tailed diving duck known for the male’s bright blue bill in breeding season. They migrate at night in loose flocks, moving from northern interior marshes to larger, ice-free lakes and coastal estuaries for the winter.