Identification?

[Newducklover21]

A group of 4 of these recently showed up at the pond where I’ve been watching a bunch of mallard type duck families grow this season. Their bodies and beaks are very small/short in comparison to the mallards and there appears to be some red either in their eyes or immediately surrounding them. The white “mask” is stunning! ANyone know what they are?

 

[DucksAreBest]

A group of 4 of these recently showed up at the pond where I’ve been watching a bunch of mallard type duck families grow this season. Their bodies and beaks are very small/short in comparison to the mallards and there appears to be some red either in their eyes or immediately surrounding them. The white “mask” is stunning! ANyone know what they are? View attachment 2795483View attachment 2795485

Hi, they look like female wood ducks. Beautiful ducks! @MGG @swampfox440?

 

[jus10inla]

Woodies. Duck season cant get here fast enough.

 

[swampfox440]

The one in the rear is a male wood duck he don't have his breeding plumage see the little white stripes under his chin running vertical . The one with the white around the eye is indeed a female . Easy to mistake for both being female good call @DucksAreBest

 

[swampfox440]

Woodies. Duck season cant get here fast enough.

Only if you like eating bones they are pretty meatless

 

[jus10inla]

Its a better tasting than a nasty mallard . Teal & woodies always get my vote when making poppers

 

[MGG]

A group of 4 of these recently showed up at the pond where I’ve been watching a bunch of mallard type duck families grow this season. Their bodies and beaks are very small/short in comparison to the mallards and there appears to be some red either in their eyes or immediately surrounding them. The white “mask” is stunning! ANyone know what they are? View attachment 2795483View attachment 2795485

I agree with Swampfox, they're young wood ducks. And it looks like the one is a male too.