DABBLING DUCKS (AKA Puddle Ducks)
American Wigeons at Huntington Central Park having a whistling contest.
Eurasian Wigeon at Huntington Central Park. This is a rare bird, but is regulary seen around Orange County in the fall and winter.
Female and Male Northern Shovelers at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
Male and female Green-winged Teal at Newport Back Bay
PERCHING DUCKS
Male Mandarin Duck (Exotic--non-native Asian species--most are escapees) at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Seen from time to time in Orange County, CA.
Female Mandarin Duck (exotic Asian species--non-native--most are escapees) at Huntington Central Park
DIVING DUCKS
Male Bufflehead Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Female Bufflehead Duck at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Male Ruddy Duck Foreground non-breeding plumage at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Male Ruddy Duck in almost full breeding plumage. Just a little black still on the tip of the otherwise bright, blue bill.
Female Ruddy Duck at at Mason Regional Park swimming with her tail down.
Female Surf Scoter at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
White-winged Scoter--female looks like the Surf Scoter female with less clearly defined white patches. This is a rare bird for Orange County. Photo taken at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve .
Male and female Redhead--Aythya americana at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Canvasback Ducks Photo Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service. Photographer Donna Dewhurst.
Male and Female Lesser Scaups at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Male Ring-necked Duck Photo Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service. Photographer--Lee Karney. 
Ring-necked Duck Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service. Photographer Dave Menke.
Here is a male Hooded Merganser courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service photographer Tim McCabe. The Hooded Merganser is a rare bird for this area but turns up regularly in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and ponds. Places like Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, and Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve aka Newport Back Bay, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, and several of the Regional Parks.
Here is a female Hooded Merganser courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service photographer Glen Smart. Again, a rare bird that turns up on a regular basis.
So when you are out birding in fall, winter, and early spring keep your binoculars and camera ready to spot some great wild ducks in Orange County! Check out the links below for more on ducks and places to go bird watching to see ducks. We have lots of birding hot spots in Orange County where you can see wild ducks.
OC Birder Girl Links
Odd Ducks
Strange-looking ducks and duck-like birds you might see in Orange County.
Birding Hot Spots in Orange County, California
Orange County, California has many great birding places including wonderful parks, nature centers, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and a national forest.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Great place to see wild ducks or do any kind of birding. You can see more of the wilder variety here like Northern Pintails, Buffleheads, Scaups, Mergansers, and Scoters as well as Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, and Northern Shovelers.
Central Park in Huntington Beach
Another birding hot spot. Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Mallards, and Northern Shovelers.
Mason Regional Park
Lots of surprises here as far as birding. You never know what you might find. Mostly Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, and Mallards though.
San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
Wilder fresh water ducks and the more common ones, too. Ruddy Ducks, American Wigeons, Pintails, Buffleheads, and Northern Shovelers.
Tewinkle Park -- Costa Mesa
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