What duck has a red beak in Florida?

Florida is home to a diverse array of duck species, some of which possess distinctive red beaks. Determining which duck species have red beaks requires an examination of the ducks most commonly found in Florida. The key ducks with red beaks in Florida are:

• Red-breasted Merganser
• Ruddy Duck
• Redhead Duck

These duck species frequent Florida’s wetlands and waterways, providing birdwatchers with ample opportunities to spot their vibrant red bills. Read on to learn more about identifying Florida’s red-beaked ducks.

Red-Breasted Merganser

The Red-breasted Merganser is a large diving duck known for its shaggy crest and bright red bill. Adult males have a dark green head, white neck collar, and rusty red breast. Females are gray-brown with a reddish-orange bill.

Red-breasted Mergansers breed in northern North America and migrate down to coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in winter. They frequent bays, estuaries, and lakes throughout Florida during the non-breeding season from November to April.

These long, slender ducks use their serrated bills to grasp fish and aquatic invertebrates. Watch for them floating on the water or diving underwater as they hunt for food. Their stout bodies help them dive deep to find prey.

Identification Tips

• Bright red bill (male and female)
• Shaggy crest on back of head (male)
• Rusty red breast (male)
• Long, thin profile
• Habitat: Coasts, bays, lakes

Ruddy Duck

The compact Ruddy Duck is named for the male’s bright ruddy coloration and stiff tail that sticks straight up. Their bold blue bill makes them easy to identify.

Ruddy Ducks live year-round in Florida, though some northern populations migrate down for the winter. They inhabit marshy wetlands, ponds, and lakes and are common sights in central and southern Florida.

Males put on dramatic courtship displays in spring, slapping the water with their bills and feet while churning up the surface. Females build nests in emergent vegetation at marsh edges after pairing up with a chosen mate.

Identification Tips

• Bright blue bill
• Compact, chunky body
• Stiff tail often held upright (male)
• Breeding male has reddish-brown body and black cap
• Habitat: Marshes, ponds, lakes

Redhead Duck

The Redhead Duck is a diving duck named for the male’s distinctive crimson head and neck. Their blue bill has a black tip, making it easy to differentiate from the Ruddy Duck’s all-blue bill.

Redheads winter in Florida’s coastal marshes, shallow lakes, and estuaries after breeding in the prairie pothole region further north. They migrate north to their breeding grounds again in spring.

Redheads forage by diving underwater to feed on aquatic plants. They will also tip-up to feed on insects, mollusks, and seeds in shallow water.

Identification Tips

• Blue bill with black tip
• Male has reddish head and neck
• Pale grey body and black tail (male)
• Female is brown overall with lighter face
• Habitat: Coasts, marshes, lakes

Best Places to Spot Red-Beaked Ducks in Florida

Florida offers many top birding sites to search for red-beaked ducks throughout their wintering and migration ranges. Here are some go-to locations:

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Located along central Florida’s Atlantic coast, Merritt Island NWR provides important wetland habitat for migrating and wintering ducks. Scan the saltwater estuaries for Red-breasted Mergansers and the freshwater impoundments for Redheads.

St. Johns River

The St. Johns River flows north through inland Florida. Follow it north of Orlando to find dabbling and diving ducks in the extensive wetland areas along its shores. Keep an eye out for the blue bills of Ruddy Ducks.

Lake Okeechobee

This large shallow lake in southern Florida attracts ducks to its open water habitat. It’s one of the best places to find Redheads and Ruddy Ducks in the Sunshine State.

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

The marsh habitat of this Everglades refuge in southeast Florida hosts wintering Redheads and resident Ruddy Ducks through the year.

Tampa Bay

Red-breasted Mergansers forage in Tampa Bay’s estuaries and along the Gulf Coast near Tampa during the non-breeding season.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Located on Apalachee Bay in Florida’s Big Bend region, St. Marks NWR is a hotspot for spotting all three red-beaked duck species in migration and winter.

Conclusion

Florida’s wetland ecosystems provide critical wintering areas for migratory waterfowl and year-round habitat for resident species. The Red-breasted Merganser, Ruddy Duck, and Redhead Duck are notable for their vibrant red bills that add a pop of color to the waterways. With a little persistence and attention to identification tips, observers can find these beautiful ducks gracing Florida’s diverse waterscapes.