Swans, Geese and Ducks

Swans, Geese, and Ducks - Family Anatidae

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis. Accidental.

Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor. Historical breeder. Rare in spring, summer, and fall in Gulf Coast region. Occasional in late fall, winter, and early spring in other regions. Prefers dense marshes and adjacent waters.

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons. Uncommon in fall and winter in Tennessee Valley and Inland Coastal Plain regions. Rare on Gulf Coast in fall and winter. Found in freshwater and brackish marshes, agricultural fields, and on ponds. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Snow Goose Chen caerulescens. Fairly common to uncommon in winter and fall in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions, but rare in summer. Uncommon to rare in winter, spring, and fall in other regions. Found in freshwater and brackish marshes, agricultural fields, and on lakes. Low Conservation Concern.

Ross’s Goose Chen rossii. Rare in winter, early spring, and late fall in all regions. Found in freshwater and brackish marshes, agricultural fields, and on lakes.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis. Breeder. Common in winter in Tennessee Valley region, but fairly common to rare in spring, summer, and fall. Uncommon in all seasons in Mountain region. Fairly common in winter, spring, and fall in Inland Coastal Plain, but uncommon in spring, summer, and fall. Rare in winter and fall in Gulf Coast region. Found in freshwater and brackish marshes, agricultural fields, and on lakes. Breeding birds have been established from introduced resident populations. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Brant Branta bernicla. Occasional in fall and winter in Tennessee Valley, Mountain, and Gulf Coast regions. Often associates with snow geese. Found in freshwater and brackish marshes, agricultural fields, and on lakes.

Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus. Rare in winter and fall in Tennessee Valley region, but occasional in spring. Occasional in winter and fall in other regions. Prefers shallow freshwater and brackish marshes with dense growths of underwater vegetation. Low Conservation Concern.

Wood Duck Aix sponsa. Breeder. Common in all seasons and regions. Found in wooded swamps, beaver ponds, bottomlands, creeks, and on lakes. Low Conservation Concern.

Gadwall Anas strepera. Occasional breeder. Common in winter, fairly common to uncommon in spring and fall, and rare in summer in all regions. Found in shallow freshwater and brackish-water ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. Occasional in winter, spring, and fall mostly in the Tennessee Valley region. Associates with American wigeon. Found in shallow freshwater and brackish-water ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation.

American Wigeon Anas americana. Common in winter, spring, and fall, and occasional in summer in all regions. Found in shallow freshwater and brackish-water ponds with abundant aquatic vegetation. Low Conservation Concern.

American Black Duck Anas rubripes. Local breeder. Common in winter, uncommon in spring and fall, and rare in summer in Tennessee Valley region. Rare in fall, winter, and spring in Mountain and Inland Coastal Plain regions. Occasional in winter, spring, and fall in Gulf Coast region. Found in freshwater and brackish-water marshes and on lakes. HIGH CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Breeder. Common in winter, fairly common in spring and fall, and uncommon in summer in all regions. Found in shallow water of ponds, lakes, marshes, and flooded fields. Breeding birds are probably domesticated birds or birds released by sportsman’s clubs. Low Conservation Concern.

Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula. Breeder. Fairly common in spring, summer, and fall and uncommon in winter in Gulf Coast region (mostly Mobile County). Found in freshwater and brackish marshes and ponds. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Blue-winged Teal Anas discors. Occasional breeder. Common to fairly common in spring and fall in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions, but rare in summer and rare to occasional in winter. Common to fairly common in spring and fall, uncommon to rare in winter in Inland Coastal Plain and Gulf Coast regions. Found in shallow freshwater and brackish water ponds, sloughs, marshes, and mudflats. Low Conservation Concern.

Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera. Accidental.

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata. Occasional breeder. Common in winter, spring, and fall in all regions, and occasional in summer in Tennessee Valley region. Found in freshwater and brackish water ponds, swamps, and on lakes. Lowest Conservation Concern.

White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis. Accidental.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta. Common in winter, spring, and fall in all regions. Fairly common to rare in spring and fall in all regions. Occasional in summer in Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast regions. Found in freshwater and brackish marshes, agricultural fields, and shallow portions of lakes, ponds, and rivers. Low Conservation Concern.

Green-winged Teal Anas crecca.  Common to fairly common in winter, spring, and fall in all regions.  Occasional in summer in Tennessee Valley.   Found in shallow freshwater and brackish water marshes, and on lakes and mudflats.  Lowest Conservation Concern.

Canvasback Aythya valisineria. Fairly common in winter and uncommon to rare in spring and fall in Tennessee Valley region. In other regions, uncommon in winter, spring, and fall, and occasional in spring and summer. Found on shallow lakes, ponds, marshes, and estuaries. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Redhead Aythya americana. Uncommon in winter, spring, and fall, and occasional in summer in all regions. Found on lakes, rivers, and bays in fresh, brackish, or salt water. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris. Common in winter, early spring, and late fall, and uncommon to rare in other seasons in all regions. Found in shallow, wooded, freshwater ponds, swamps, and lakes. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Greater Scaup Aythya marila. Uncommon to rare in winter, spring, and fall in Gulf Coast and Tennessee Valley regions. Occasional in winter and spring in Inland Coastal Plain and Mountain regions. Found on relatively deep lakes, rivers, and bays. Low Conservation Concern.

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis. Common in winter, spring, and fall in Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast regions, and occasional in summer. Fairly common in winter, spring, and fall in Mountain and Inland Coastal Plain regions, and occasional in summer. Found on lakes, rivers, and bays. Low Conservation Concern.

King Eider Somateria spectabilis. Accidental. Hypothetical.

Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus. Accidental.

Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata. Rare in winter, spring, and fall in Tennessee Valley, Mountain, and Gulf Coast regions.  Found primarily in offshore waters and less commonly on lakes.

White-winged Scoter Melanitta fusca. Rare to occasional in winter, spring, and late fall in all regions. Found primarily in offshore waters and less commonly on lakes.

Black Scoter Melanitta nigra. Rare in winter, spring, and fall in Gulf Coast region. Occasional in fall and winter in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions. Found primarily in offshore waters and less commonly on lakes.

Oldsquaw Clangula hyemalis. Rare in winter, spring, and late fall in Gulf Coast and Tennessee Valley regions. Occasional in winter, spring, and late fall in Mountain and Inland Coastal Plain regions. Found on deeper bays and lakes.

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola. Common in winter, early spring, and late fall in Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast regions. Uncommon in winter, spring, and fall in Inland Coastal Plain and Mountain regions. Found on lakes, bays, and slow-moving rivers. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. Fairly common in winter, spring, and late fall in Tennessee Valley and Gulf Coast regions, but occasional in summer. Uncommon in winter and rare in spring and fall in Mountain region. Rare in winter and occasional in spring in Inland Coastal Plain. Found on lakes, bays, and slow-moving rivers. Low Conservation Concern.

Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus. Occasional breeder. Fairly common in winter, spring, and fall, and rare in summer in all regions. Found primarily on wooded freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow water river systems, less commonly in marshes and bays. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.

Common Merganser Mergus merganser. Rare in winter and rare to occasional in spring and fall in primarily the Tennessee Valley region.  Found on freshwater lakes and rivers. Low Conservation Concern.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. Common in winter, uncommon in spring and fall, and occasional in summer in Gulf Coast region. In Tennessee Valley region, fairly common in winter and fall, uncommon in spring, and occasional in summer. In Mountain and Inland Coastal Plain regions, uncommon to rare in winter, rare in spring and fall, and occasional in summer. Found on estuaries, bays, shallow coastal waters, lakes, and deep slow-moving rivers. Lowest Conservation Concern.

Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis.  Common in winter and fairly common to rare in fall and spring in Tennessee Valley region. In other regions, fairly common in winter, fairly common to rare in spring and fall, and occasional in summer. Found on freshwater ponds, lakes, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, and bays. Low Conservation Concern.