Wood Duck Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWood Duck
Male
Gorgeous duck with intricate plumage: green, crested head, chestnut breast and other bold markings.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 25, 2014Female
Warm brown plumage with grayer, slightly crested head. White teardrop around the eye; white also along the edge of dark blue "speculum" patch in the wings.
© Epi Shemming / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, February 02, 2017Male
Eclipse male
Grayish brown plumage with whiter throat, bright red eye, and red and white bill.
© Jake Dingel / Macaulay LibraryOhio, August 09, 2018Female
In flight the blue secondaries with a bold white stripe on the trailing edge are obvious.
© Larry Therrien / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, June 13, 2016Female and male
Found on shallow lakes and ponds, often swimming near the edges among emergent or overhanging vegetation.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArkansas, March 18, 2005Male and female
Gray underwings of breeding males contrast with the rest of the plumage.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 23, 2019Immature
Immature is similar to female in coloration.
© Charlotte Farrell / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, July 24, 2019Male and female
Female lacks bright patterns of male, but has unique crested head shape and large white teardrop patch around eye.
© Tim Laman / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 17, 2009Male
Glossy green head with prominent crest at the rear, white throat, bright red eye, and red-and-white bill.
© Ryan Sanderson / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, April 17, 2020Female and chick
Fluffy young are dark above with pale yellowish underparts and face.
© Gerry Hawkins / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, April 25, 2016Female
Often perches on tree limbs. Note white line at edge of blue "speculum" patch in the wing
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArkansas, March 18, 2005Male and female
Nests in cavities, including artificial nest boxes.
© Janis Stone / Macaulay LibraryVirginia, March 21, 2016Female
Often perches on branches, sometimes far from water.
© Michael Warner / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, April 25, 2017Similar SpeciesGreen-winged Teal
Breeding male (American)
Smaller than Wood Duck with a rounder head. Green-winged Teal lacks the Wood Duck's bold white striping, and is more solid gray on the breast and sides.
© Jeff Stacey / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, February 22, 2017Similar SpeciesGreen-winged Teal
Female/nonbreeding male
Smaller than Wood Duck with a rounder head. Female teal lack white eye patch seen on female Wood Ducks.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, September 21, 2011Similar SpeciesMallard
Breeding male (Northern)
Mallards have a rounder head than Wood Ducks and males do not have the ornate head pattern of Wood Ducks.
© Liron Gertsman / Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, November 21, 2015Similar SpeciesMallard
Female (Northern)
Mallards have a rounder head than Wood Ducks. Females do not have the white eye patch seen on female Wood Ducks.
© Steeve R. Baker / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, April 02, 2017Similar SpeciesHooded Merganser
Breeding male
Hooded Mergansers have a longer, thinner bill than Wood Ducks. Males have a bold white patch on the head and a white breast that Wood Ducks lack.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 24, 2015Similar SpeciesHooded Merganser
Nonbreeding male
Hooded Mergansers have a longer, thinner bill than Wood Ducks and females lack the white eye patch.
© Amanda Guercio / Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 12, 2012Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae)
More to Read
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.