Migrationigration Flyways

CCOMMONOMMON DDUCKUCK SPECIESSPECIES OOFF TTHEHE GGREATREAT LLAKESAKES PINTAIL NORTHERN SHOVELER MALLARD AMERICAN WIGEON Th e pintail is a less common migrant Th e shoveler occasionally breeds in Th e mallard is the most common duck Th e American wigeon can be identifi ed through the Great Lakes region. Th e the Great Lakes region and is a fairly species in the Great Lakes region and by its green eye-patch and distinctive pintail primarily breeds in prairie Canada common spring and fall migrant. Th e across North America. Th eir large size, white cap that earned it the nickname and the U.S. and is easily identifi ed by its shoveler is named for its unique large, green heads and orange legs make “baldpate”. Wigeon are relatively long, slender neck and distinct, pointed wide bill that it uses to fi lter plankton mallards easy to recognize. Mallards can common Great Lakes migrants and are tail. from the surface water. be found almost everywhere in the Great unique among waterfowl because they Lakes. often graze on upland grasses and clovers. MMigrationigration Flyways Flyways show the major migration routes for waterfowl in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Flyway boundaries are not always sharply defi ned, and the routes 4 followed by migratory birds are numerous: no two species follow exactly the same RUDDY DUCK path from beginning to end. Th e four LESSER SCAUP Th e ruddy duck can be identifi ed by its primary North American fl yways are the Th e lesser scaup earned the nickname small size, white and black face markings 1 Pacifi c Flyway (1), the Central Flyway “bluebill” because of its distinctly and bright blue bill. Large numbers of 2 3 (2), the Mississippi Flyway (3) and the colored bill. Bluebills are one of the most ruddy ducks migrate through the Great Atlantic Flyway (4). Th e Great Lakes area common of the Great Lakes diving duck Lakes on their way to and from prairie provides an important rest stop and food species and feed almost exclusively on breeding areas. source for waterfowl from the Mississippi clams and mussels. and the Atlantic fl yways during their seasonal migrations. REDHEAD BUFFLEHEAD AMERICAN BLACK DUCK BLUE-WINGED TEAL Th e redhead is another common Th e buffl ehead is North America’s Th ey can be diffi cult to recognize, but Although they are more common as diving duck in the Great Lakes during smallest diving duck and has earned the their dark plumage and yellow-green migrants through the Great Lakes, migration time, although it is known nickname “butterball” for its stocky, bill are good fi eld characteristics. Most blue-winged teal also breed here fairly to breed here occasionally as well. In rounded appearance. Buffl eheads are common on the East Coast of North commonly. Blue-winged teal are among the fi eld, the redhead is identifi ed by its common migrants in the Great Lakes America, and also fairly common the smallest and fastest-fl ying of North reddish head and blue bill. and feed primarily on small clams, snails breeders in the eastern Great Lakes, America’s waterfowl. Th ey winter in and crustaceans. migrating through in large numbers in South America and the Caribbean. spring and fall. HOODED MERGANSER CANVASBACK WOOD DUCK RING-NECKED DUCK One of the most common breeding Th e canvasback is most easily identifi ed Th e wood duck is easily recognized for Th e ring-necked duck is named for a waterfowl in the northern areas of the by its large, wedge-shaped bill, which its bright coloring and distinct whistling faint red line around its neck, but is most Great Lakes, the hooded merganser is it uses to uproot and eat submerged call. Wood ducks prefer to nest in tree easily recognized by its distinctly colored easily identifi ed by its narrow, serrated aquatic vegetation. Canvasbacks are cavities and adapt well to man-made blue, black and white bill. Ring-necked bill, chestnut sides and white crest. North America’s largest and fastestfl ying nest boxes. Th e wood duck is the second ducks are most common in the Great Hooded mergansers prefer to nest in tree ducks—they are able to reach speeds of most common breeder in the Great Lakes Lakes during spring and fall migration. cavities and feed exclusively on fi sh. 65 mph. region..

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