Alabama's wetlands and diverse ecosystems are home to a wide variety of waterfowl, including diving ducks, puddle ducks, tree ducks and geese. Understanding the unique characteristics of waterfowl will enhance your hunting and birdwatching experience in the state.
Waterfowl hunting is a pastime enjoyed by many hunters in Alabama. Ducks and geese can be hunted in a variety of habitats throughout the state, from saltwater coastal waters to small woodland beaver ponds. Hunters must hold an Alabama hunting license, an Alabama duck stamp, a federal duck stamp, and have completed the HIP.
If you are hunting ducks or geese, it is also important to be able to properly identify these waterfowl in order to hunt them legally. In Alabama, the teal hunting season is early this year (September 9-24) and you cannot shoot any birds other than teal. The regular duck hunting season is divided into two parts: the early season is November 24th and 25th, and the remaining season is December 2nd to January 28th. This is where duck identification becomes important. The limit is six “ducks,” but you can only own four mallards (up to two females), three goat ducks, one teal, two black ducks, two ruddy ducks, one pintail, two canvasbacks, and one scaup. Be sure to check the rule book carefully as it is very important to know the limits, season dates and shooting times.
Although harvest and population trends have changed over the decades, the most commonly harvested duck in Alabama is the Gadwall. In the Tennessee River Basin in north Alabama, the top four species are (in order) Gadwall, Mallard, Great Horned Duck, and American Gadwall. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Mallard held the top harvest position. In south Alabama, the Gadwall, Greater Scaup, and Common Gadwall are the most commonly harvested ducks.
Northern Shoveler and American Sandpiper round out the top four. In the 80s and 90s, teal and brown ducks made up the majority of the catches. So let's take a look at some of the species you're likely to encounter.
Diving Duck
Diving ducks dive below the water's surface to feed and “run” on the surface to take off. They are commonly found in large bodies of water and along coastal areas.
Canvas bag (Aisia varicinaria)
Male canvasbacks have a striking reddish head and smooth profile, while females have a more modest brown appearance and a distinctive sloping profile towards the back. The shape of the head and the distinctive sloping beak make them useful for identification.
Redhead (American Akebia japonica)
Ring-tailed ducks have a contrasting black and grey appearance, with the males having a prominent chestnut ring around their necks but are often difficult to distinguish, while the females have a more subdued brown appearance and a distinctive white eye ring.
White-streaked Finch (Bucephala alveola)
A strikingly patterned duck, the common goldeneye is easily recognised by the lustrous black-and-white plumage of the male, who has a large white spot on the back of his head similar to that of a common goldeneye, while the female has a smaller white spot on her cheek giving her a more somber appearance.
Goldeneye (Bucephala crangula)
Goldeneyes have a striking contrast of black and white plumage: males have a deep iris-green head with a white crescent pattern under the eye, while females have a chocolate brown head and a prominent white eye patch.
Greater Scaup (Aitia Affinis)& Great Scaup (Aitia Marilla)
The greater scaup consists of two species, the Eastern Scaup and the Asian Scaup, which look similar but can be distinguished by size and subtle features. Both have dark heads with a purple sheen, light grey bodies and blue bills with black tips. The Eastern Scaup has a rounder head and smaller bill compared to the Asian Scaup, which has a flatter head profile and larger bill.
Paddle Ducks
Puddle ducks usually live in fresh, shallow water in marshes or rivers. Although they can dive, they usually fly upwards to feed rather than diving underwater. They also usually fly straight up to take off rather than running on the surface.
Mallard (Anas Platyrynchos)
Mallards are the best known and most widespread duck species. Male mallards have shiny emerald heads, yellow bills and chestnut-brown breasts, while females are mottled brown. Both sexes have distinctive iridescent blue wing spots that are highly visible in flight.
Wood Duck (Ex-sponsor)
Unmistakable with their vibrant plumage, American coots are beautiful creatures. Males boast an intricate color scheme, with an iris-like green-and-purple head, red eyes, and distinctive white markings around the eyes and throat. Females have a more delicate patterning, with a gray-brown head and distinctive teardrop-shaped eye rings.
Large-billed Siskin (Anas crepeata)
Easily identifiable by its oversized spatula-like bill, the Greater Sandpiper can be mistaken for a Mallard in flight. Male Greater Sandpipers sport a striking green head, white breast and chestnut body, while females are mottled brown with striking blue spots on their forewings.
American Wigeon (Annas americana)
American Wigeons are known for the distinctive white crown and green eyepatch of the male, while the female has a mottled brown appearance and both have noticeable white spots on their wings that appear in flight.
Gadwall (Anas Strepera)
The Gadwall is not as showy looking as other ducks. The male has a greyish body with intricate feather patterns and a distinctive black rump. In flight, it stands out with its white bill and chestnut and black wing covers. The female has a mottled brown appearance with an orange bill and white bill.
Hairy Merganser (Lophodites cucullatus)
The common merganser is a small, strikingly patterned duck known for its distinctive fan-shaped crest. Males have black and white heads with large white spots, while females have a cinnamon brown crest and a faint grey-brown appearance.
Teal
Brown Duck (Spatula Discord)
With their distinctive blue wing spots and cinnamon-colored heads (males), blue teals are commonly seen in Alabama, while females are mottled brown and both have bright blue spots on their wings that are visible when in flight.
Teal (Anas Klecka)
The teal has a prominent green patch on its wing, which is visible in flight. The male has a chestnut-brown head with a prominent white crescent behind its beak, while the female has a brownish, muted appearance.
Tree Duck
Black-fronted Gadwall (Dendrochina autumnalis)
Particularly common in southern Alabama, the Northern Bill is often found perched in trees. This species is easily identifiable with its distinctive pink bill, chestnut underparts and grayish face. Often described as having a “droopy” appearance in flight, Northern Bills' most distinctive features are the large white wing bands on the upper front of the wings and the black band along their back.
Butterflyfish (Dendrocygna bicolor)
Relatively rare in Alabama, the common moorhen has reddish-brown feathers, a long neck and prominent white markings on its face. Its unique appearance sets it apart from other waterfowl species.
goose
Snow Goose (Monitor lizard)
During the winter, Alabama is often a temporary home for the migratory snow geese. Adult snow geese have distinctive white feathers with black wing tips, while young ones have a grayish appearance. Snow geese may congregate in large flocks.
Canada Goose (Brent Goose)
Canada geese are the most common goose in Alabama. With a black head and neck, white chin and brownish-gray body, this species is easy to identify and is often seen grazing in flocks on prairies and near water. Alabama is home to both fall and winter migratory geese and sizable resident flocks.
The diversity of waterfowl in Alabama provides hunters and bird enthusiasts with great opportunities to observe and identify these fascinating species. In this endeavor, remember to use your field guide, binoculars, and patience. Understanding the unique identifying characteristics and habitats of these waterfowl species will not only enrich your hunting or bird watching experience, but will also contribute to conservation efforts aimed at protecting Alabama's diverse ecosystems. So grab your gear and embark on an exciting journey into the world of Alabama waterfowl.
This article first appeared in the Winter '23 issue. AWF Magazine.
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