![Geese in Arizona](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-intro.jpg)
People all over the world enjoy birdwatching as a hobby, seeking out these small feathered dinosaurs in the early hours of the morning just to catch a glimpse of their brilliant colors and quirky behavior.
The term “waterbirds” refers to a particular group of birds that can be found living in and around large bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. Some of these birds, such as ducks, will swim across the surface of shallower water and forage for food by dipping their heads under the surface and sifting through the muck on the bottom of the river or pond, otherwise known as “dabbling.” Others, like herons and egrets, will wade through the water on long spindly legs to hunt for small fish.
Many species of waterbirds are migratory, meaning that they travel between different ranges for breeding and non-breeding. This journey can stretch thousands of miles across the entire North American continent, or it can be as brief as a trip across the state.
The southern state of Arizona is home to many species of waterbirds, many of which are migrants spending the winter in the relative warmth of the south. There are also several species of resident waterbirds, meaning that they spend the entire year in the state. This article will focus on several of the most common species found in Arizona, and the following list is roughly organized by population size from most to least frequently observed.
Note: This article will focus on various species of “waterbirds,” which is a more inclusive term than “waterfowl.” The term “waterfowl” typically refers to birds in the order Anseriformes and is commonly used interchangeably to identify this particular order. This article will discuss waterfowl, waders, and other birds that live in and around bodies of water.
Arizona Water Birds
1) American wigeon (Mareca americana)
![American wigeon](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-american-wigeon.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 16 – 23 in (41 – 58 cm)
- Weight: 19 – 47 oz (539 – 1332 g)
- Wingspan: 31 in (79 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Short to medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
American wigeons are small to medium-sized ducks with a telltale black-tipped gray beak. Males can be identified by the bright green stripe starting by their eyes and wrapping around to the back of their heads. Females lack this bright coloring, but both sexes can be spotted swimming on the surface of lakes and ponds with their heads resting on their bodies, making them look like they have no necks.
They mostly forage for aquatic plants by dabbling in the water, though they seem comfortable foraging on land as well. American wigeons tend to migrate in smaller groups, though they can be found foraging and swimming in large groups of mixed species. Their population is relatively stable, and their range has expanded to the east in the northeastern US and Canada. Despite this, wigeons suffered a cumulative 65% decline over the 49 years between 1966 – 2015.
2) American coot (Fulica americana)
![American coot on land](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-american-coot.jpg)
- Order: Gruiformes
- Family: Rallidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 15 – 17 in (38 – 43 cm)
- Weight: 21 – 25 oz (595 – 709 g)
- Wingspan: 23 – 25 in (58 – 64 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ year-round
American coots are very distinctive waterbirds with a white beak that extends up to their forehead, and bright red eyes. Unlike many other waterbirds, coots do not have webbed feet. Instead, they have lobed toes with flaps of toughened skin that will fold flat as they move their feet forward in the water, then open wide as they move their feet back, giving them a similar amount of surface area for paddling as webbed toes would have.
They spend most of their time in the water and will dive under the surface for their food, unlike dabblers. Though they may look like a type of duck from afar, coots are actually more closely related to rails and gallinules, and on land, they walk similarly to chickens instead of waddling.
3) Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)
![Mallard flying](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-mallards.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 20 – 25 in (51 – 64 cm)
- Weight: 35 – 46 oz (992 – 1304 g)
- Wingspan: 32 – 37 in (81 – 94 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ year-round
Easily the most recognizable species in this list, mallards are the most abundant and widespread duck species in North America. The males’ bright green heads can be spotted in lakes and ponds across the country, and they are one of the most common ducks in found urban settings, in addition to wilder habitats. While the females have a brown plumage less colorful than the males, both sexes have a bluish-purple band on the bottom portion of their wings that is plainly visible when these birds spread their wings to take flight.
In urban areas, mallards are more approachable since many visitors like to feed the various waterfowl that frequent these areas. However, mallards are also one of the most hunted bird species in the US, so they are very wary of people in more rural areas. In addition to being the most common duck in North America, most barnyard ducks (the white ones found on farms) are descended from wild mallards.
4) Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
![Canada goose taking flight](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-canada-goose.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 30 – 43 in (76 – 109 cm)
- Weight: 106 – 318 oz (3005 – 9015 g)
- Wingspan: 50 – 67 in (127 – 170 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or long-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Another familiar resident of urban areas, Canada geese can be found across North America. They are residents in most of the northern US and will commonly be seen migrating south for the winter in their traditional V-shape flock. Geese that migrate up into the far north in Canada to breed will fly as far as the southern US and even the north end of Mexico for the winter. Canada geese are a very abundant species in North America, and while their population has remained stable so far, there is some concern that their range will decrease as climate change progresses.
5) Northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
![Northern shoveler](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-northern-shoveler.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 17 – 20 in (43 – 51 cm)
- Weight: 14 – 29 oz (397 – 822 g)
- Wingspan: 27 – 33 in (69 – 84 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Long-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Northern shovelers are one of the most fascinating duck species on this list. These birds have a spoon-shaped bill that is much larger than other dabblers, reaching up to 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) in length. The edges of their bills are lined with little comb-like projections called lamellae, which help them to filter out food in the water like a sieve.
They mostly feed on small crustaceans, seeds, and other small aquatic invertebrates that they catch by swimming through the water with their bills in the water, moving their heads from side to side to scoop up as many goodies as they can. Shovelers will generally feed in the shallower water of wetlands in order to catch their tiny prey near the muddy bottom, using their lamellae-lined bills to strain out the food and avoid the muck.
6) Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris)
![Ring-necked duck](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-ring-necked-duck.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 15 – 18 in (38 – 46 cm)
- Weight: 17 – 32 oz (482 – 907 g)
- Wingspan: 24.4 – 24.8 in (62 – 63 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Short to medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Despite their name, ring-necked ducks do not have a distinctly visible ring around their necks. Rather, they have a deep chestnut-colored band around a black neck, making it a very difficult trait to spot in the field. Both the males and the females have a dark grey bill with a white band leading into a black tip.
These ducks are on the smaller side, and instead of dabbling for food, ring-necks are divers and will completely submerge to catch aquatic invertebrates and underwater plants. Despite their small size, these ducks are strong and capable fliers and can take off directly from the surface of the water without a running start. Their population across the US has remained stable since the 1930s, though there is some concern that their range could become restricted due to the effects of climate change.
7) Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)
![Ruddy duck](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-ruddy-duck.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 14 – 17 in (36 – 43 cm)
- Weight: 11 – 30 oz (312 – 850 g)
- Wingspan: 22 – 24 in (56 – 61 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or short-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the breeding season and year-round
Slightly smaller than an average crow, ruddy ducks are sturdy little divers that spend the majority of their time in the water. While they are very adept swimmers, they are clumsy in the air and therefore more likely to dive and swim underwater to escape predators such as hawks, owls, and raccoons.
Ruddy ducks can be identified by long stiff tails that they will frequently hold erect like a flag. Breeding males also have a very distinct blue bill and black and white plumage on their heads. Though their population is currently stable, their numbers are much lower than historical levels, likely due to unrestricted hunting laws in the early 20th century, though they are not popular game animals currently.
8) Neotropic cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum)
![Neotropic cormorant eating fish](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-neotropic-cormorant.jpg)
- Order: Suliformes
- Family: Phalacrocoracidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 24 in (61 cm)
- Weight: 38 – 53 oz (1077 – 1503 g)
- Wingspan: 40 in (102 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Not migratory, observed in AZ during winter
Though the majority of their range is in South America, neotropic cormorants can be found in several southern states in the US. These cormorants are smaller than their cousins, the double-crested cormorants, but they are otherwise quite similar in appearance. They have long snake-like necks and narrow heads, with mostly black plumage and a longer tail than other cormorants.
In addition to diving from the surface of the water to hunt for fish, these birds will also sometimes get a flying start and dive from a few feet above the water, folding their wings back and plunging into the depths to catch their next meal. Though their population is currently stable, in southern states such as Texas, they experienced a decrease in population size in the 1950s and 1960s due to the use of pesticides, which filter into rivers and bodies of water. Today, their range is extending further into the southern states from Mexico and South America.
9) Double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)
![Double-crested cormorant spreading its wings](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-double-crested-cormorant.jpg)
- Order: Suliformes
- Family: Phalacrocoracidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 28 – 35 in (71 – 89 cm)
- Weight: 42 – 88 oz (1191 – 2495 g)
- Wingspan: 45 – 48 in (114 – 122 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during migration
Double-crested cormorants are much larger, heavier versions of their cousins, though their behaviors and feeding habits are quite similar. True to their name, breeding males will grow long stringy feathers above their eyes, resembling eccentric black or white eyebrows. Unlike many waterbirds, double-crested cormorants do not have waterproof feathers.
Bird-watchers can easily distinguish these birds by their “wing-spreading” behavior; they will sit on a rock or log and hold their wings open to dry their feathers after feeding. This particular adaptation also means that they float lower in the water when they are on the surface, as their feathers can absorb the water and make them heavier. Though they have also experienced population decline due to pesticide use, their range has been expanding and their levels increasing steadily since the 1970s.
10) Green-winged teal (Anas crecca)
![Green-winged teal](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-green-winged-teal.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 12 – 15 in (30 – 38 cm)
- Weight: 5 – 18 oz (42 – 510 g)
- Wingspan: 20 – 23 in (51 – 58 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Green-winged teals are the smallest dabbling species of duck, and they have a green band across the bottom part of their wings, hence the name. Both males and females have this green wing band, but the males particularly stand out due to their green stripe from the eyes to the back of the head and a bright cinnamon-colored head.
Though they mostly feed by dabbling, they have been known to dive underwater in order to escape predators. Green-winged teals are very common waterbirds in the US, and their population has remained consistently stable. While there is some concern that their range will shift due to climate change, their population is not as susceptible to these effects as some other species.
11) Northern pintail (Anas acuta)
![Female northern pintail](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-northern-pintail.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 20 – 30 in (51 – 76 cm)
- Weight: 18 – 51 oz (510 – 1446 g)
- Wingspan: 34 in (86 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Long-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Northern pintails are average-sized ducks with longer-than-average, slim tails. Breeding males have longer and more prominent tails than females and non-breeding males, but this breed’s long tail feathers angled slightly upward can help distinguish them from other ducks.
Pintails are dabblers and filter out aquatic insects, crustaceans, and seeds as they swim through the water, but they can also be found foraging for seeds and grains on land. Pintails are also quite non-aggressive and will only engage in fights if they are defending their territory from another encroaching male. Though this species is widespread and abundant in the US, recent surveys have indicated that there has been a significant decline in its population levels since the 1960s.
12) Gadwall (Mareca strepera)
![Gadwall on log](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-gadwall.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm)
- Weight: 18 – 44 oz (510 – 1247 g)
- Wingspan: 33 in (84 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Gadwalls are an unassuming species of duck, lacking the brighter colors seen in some other species. Female gadwalls are similar in coloration to female mallards, though the gadwall can be distinguished by its darker bill with bright orange around the edges. The males have a completely black bill and black feathers around their rumps, and both sexes have a white patch on the lower wing that is visible when they spread their wings to fly.
Gadwalls mostly eat aquatic plant material and the occasional invertebrate, though during the breeding season, the females’ diet shifts to contain more insects and invertebrates in order to obtain more protein. In addition to foraging, gadwalls have also been known to steal food from other ducks and coots.
13) Lesser scaup (Aythya affinis)
![Lesser scaup eating](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-lesser-scaup.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 15 – 18 in (38 – 46 cm)
- Weight: 16 – 38 oz (454 – 1077 g)
- Wingspan: 27 – 31 in (69 – 79 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Lesser scaup are a common and abundant species across the US, and they tend to travel in large, mixed-species flocks with up to a thousand individuals. These birds are distinguished from their close relatives, greater scaup, by a small peak in the feathers on the back of their heads, making them appear to be wearing a little hat.
These ducks are divers and will forage for aquatic insects and mollusks in water up to 16 feet deep. Lesser scaup are widespread in North America, though their population levels have been steadily decreasing throughout the last few decades, and there is little understanding of the reasons for this decline.
14) Common merganser (Mergus merganser)
![Common merganser and her chicks](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-common-merganser.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 21 – 28 in (53 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 32 – 76 oz (907 – 2155 g)
- Wingspan: 34 in (86 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Short to medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Common mergansers are a fascinating species of duck that predominantly live in forested areas near a lake or other body of water. Other than their basic shape and size, males and females are quite different in appearance. Males have a dark green head with a black-tipped red bill, and their bodies have blocky black and white plumage. In contrast, females are mostly grey with a cinnamon-colored head and a crown of long feathers.
Females will build their nests in old woodpecker holes or hollows in dead trees, sometimes as high as 100 feet off the ground. When the young hatch, they must jump out of their nests to the forest floor, where they will proceed to join their mother in the nearby water. The young will frequently ride on the back of their mother, who will protect them for several weeks after hatching, though they are able to feed themselves.
15) Great egret (Ardea alba)
![Male great egret](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-great-egret.jpg)
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Ardeidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 37 – 41 in (94 – 104 cm)
- Weight: 35 oz (992 g)
- Wingspan: 52 – 57 in (132 – 145 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Resident or medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during migration and the non-breeding season
Though great egrets are residents throughout South America, they are also quite common in the southern US around the coast. Their breeding range extends into the central states, and some available evidence suggests that their southern populations have declined while their breeding range in the north has expanded.
Great egrets are almost entirely white, with long black legs and bright yellow beaks. Breeding males develop long fine-feathered plumes on their backs, which made them a target for hunters in the 1800s. In fact, they were hunted nearly to extinction for their plumes, and this species was one of the first birds to experience the benefits of early conservation laws. Today, their population has been increasing by around 1.5% per year and the levels appear stable.
16) White-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi)
![White-faced ibis foraging for food](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-white-faced-ibis.jpg)
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Threskiornithidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm)
- Weight: 16 – 18 oz (454 – 510 g)
- Wingspan: 35 – 37 in (89 – 94 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during migration
While the name may be a bit misleading, breeding adult white-faced ibises do have a bright white ring around their faces, but they have more of a ruby mask around their beaks and faces. Non-breeding adults have a shimmering bronze plumage with a purple and green sheen, and their breeding plumage is a much deeper, more stunning red.
White-faced ibises mostly forage in shallow water for worms, insects, and crayfish, moving their bills from side to side in order to feel out their prey. This species is a resident in the southern parts of South America, and they also have populations in the south and some of the central states in the US. They are not a very abundant species in the US, but their population levels are stable and they do not appear to be too vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
17) Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)
![Bufflehead jumping](https://pondinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/waterbirds-arizona-bufflehead.jpg)
- Order: Anseriformes
- Family: Anatidae
- Average adult size:
- Length: 13 – 16 in (33 – 41 cm)
- Weight: 10 – 22 oz (283 – 624 g)
- Wingspan: 21.6 in (55 cm)
- Conservation status: Common, low concern
- Medium-distance migrant, observable in AZ during the non-breeding season
Buffleheads are a small species of duck with a large round head and short bills. The males have a large white patch behind the eyes and extending around the back of their heads. Females also have a white patch by their eyes, but it is much smaller than the males’.
They are the smallest diving duck in North America, mostly foraging for aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans. In order to dive more efficiently, buffleheads squeeze all the air out of their feathers and jump forward to build up some momentum for the dive. Buffleheads are also one of the more susceptible species to climate change, with nearly half of their summer range expected to be lost. For now, their population is stable, though their current levels are lower than historical levels.