By Tom Koritansky, Natural Resource Manager

Waterfowl, like dabbling and diving ducks, are members of a family of birds known as the Anantidae. This family also includes geese and swans. These birds can be found in hot tropical climates to some of the harshest arctic habitats, and are especially adapted for life on the water. Many of these birds have adaptations that include webbed feet for swimming, the ability to secrete a waterproof oil for preening feathers, and body shapes and leg positions that help them maneuver across the water. Generally, these birds are herbivorous, feeding on water-dwelling plants, but several species also eat fish, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates.  

Dabbling and diving are terms used to describe how these two groups of ducks feed. Dabbling ducks feed by tipping up to find food often growing in shallow water. These birds are often inhabitants of small ponds and wetlands, but they can be found in larger bodies of water as well. Male dabbling ducks often appear brightly colored while females appear plainer. Diving ducks find their food under water. These birds dive under the surface of water in search of plants, fish or invertebrates. They are more often found on lakes, rivers and other large waterbodies. Dabbling ducks found in our area include mallard, green & blue-winged teal and wood duck among others. Diving ducks found in our area include redhead, greater & lesser scaup and canvasback. Also included with the divers are the mergansers. These are fish-eating divers with long, thin serrated bills to help them catch fish. Three species of mergansers are found in our area—the common, red-breasted and hooded.  

Geese are often larger than ducks and have longer necks. Geese groups include grey geese such as the snow goose, white geese such as domestic geese, and black geese such as the Canada goose. During fall migration, you may see Ross’s, snow, white-fronted, and brant. Swans are a close relative to geese (and are often much larger) and some of the largest birds capable of flight. Species that can be found in our area at various times of the year include the trumpeter, tundra, and mute swan. 

Ducks and geese are common inhabitants to many of the ponds and wetlands throughout Lake Metroparks. For beginner and experienced birders alike, watching waterfowl can be time well spent. Ducks have some of the most brilliant plumages of birds in our area (not to mention some interesting behaviors to look for too).  

Learning to identify waterfowl might seem daunting, but there are some tricks to keep from feeling overwhelmed. First, pick a single bird rather than focusing on an entire flock. Then try to narrow it down to a broad category such as a dabbling duck or diving duck before deciding on a species. Then instead of looking at all of the colors of the bird, focus on the white patches of a bird’s plumage paying attention to the size, shape and placement. It’s helpful to have a good identification guide handy too.  

Some of the best spots for watching waterfowl include many of the parks close to Lake Erie. Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park, Lake Erie Bluffs, Lakeshore Reservation and Arcola Creek Park are often good spots to find ducks and geese, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Veterans Park—home to the largest inland pond in Lake County—is also a good place to visit year-round. Look for these species during your next visit to the parks:

Red-breasted merganser
Around 70 percent of the North American population of this bird is estimated to use Lake Erie as a migration flyway. During the peak of their migration around mid-November, huge flocks of these birds will migrate (sometimes nearing 100,000). Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park and Lake Erie Bluffs are good locations to check out these birds.

Redhead
This species is typically easier to spot in the spring. Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park is a good place to look for this species.

Mallards & wood ducks
These two species are common inhabitants to many of the small ponds and wetlands in Lake Metroparks. The Natural Resources Department maintains more than 200 nesting structures for these birds throughout the park district. Veterans Park and Girdled Road Reservation are good places to catch a glimpse of these birds.

Tundra swan
Tundra swans can be seen in our area throughout the month of November during their migration. It’s possible to see and hear these birds flying over your own backyard especially on days with a decent northwest wind.

Hooded merganser
Hooded mergansers are somewhat common in the parks. This species often utilizes nest boxes. Be careful not to confuse this species with the bufflehead.

Bufflehead
Buffleheads are North America’s smallest diving ducks. In flight, they can be identified by their small size, fast wingbeats and pattern of rocking side to side as they fly.

Brant
Brant are smaller than Canada geese and lack the white cheek patch. Look for this uncommon migrant in the lakefront parks.