The ring-necked duck is a diving duck from North America commonly found in freshwater ponds and lakes. The scientific name is derived from Greek aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin collaris, "of the neck" from collum, "neck".
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Typical Environment
Breeds across boreal lakes and the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada and the northern United States. Winters widely in the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with smaller numbers reaching Central America and occasional vagrants to western Europe. Prefers freshwater lakes, beaver ponds, marshes, and slow wetlands with emergent vegetation. Often uses man-made reservoirs and golf-course ponds during migration and winter.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Despite its name, the ring on the neck is subtle and often hard to see; the bold white ring near the bill tip is far more conspicuous. Males show a peaked head profile and bright yellow eyes, while females have a softer brown face with a pale eye ring. A strong diver, it can also spring straight off the water into flight without a long running start.
Ring-necked duck female Houston, Texas
Ring-necked duck male, showing the cinnamon neck-ring
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with swift, direct flight
Social Behavior
Forms loose flocks on migration and in winter, often mixed with other Aythya ducks. Pairs form on wintering grounds; nesting is in dense emergent vegetation over shallow water. The female builds a cup nest and incubates; males typically depart early in the breeding cycle.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet; males give soft whistled notes during courtship. Females produce low grunts and growling quacks, especially when alarmed or with young.
Plumage
Male glossy black head, breast, and back with gray flanks showing a white spur; faint chestnut neck ring is usually difficult to see. Female warm brown with paler face and throat, mottled flanks, and a distinct pale eye ring and facial crescent.
Diet
Feeds by diving and tipping-up for seeds and tubers of aquatic plants such as pondweeds and wild rice. Also takes aquatic invertebrates including snails, caddisfly and midge larvae, and small crustaceans, especially in the breeding season. Diet shifts seasonally, with more plant material in winter and more animal protein in spring and summer.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shallow freshwater lakes, marsh edges, and vegetated shorelines. Often concentrates where submergent vegetation is dense and where soft-bottom substrates harbor invertebrates.
