Ring-necked Duck

The Ring-necked Duck is a casual visitor to campus: one was seen 19 Apr 2006, up to 23 were seen 18 Feb-11 Mar 2012, and one was present 16 Nov 2012 in the flooded basins around Badger Hill. The Ring-necked Duck is a common wintering bird in southern California, and can be found on most bodies of water.

The adult male Ring-necked Duck can be identified by its overall black plumage (head can appear iridescent purple) with light gray and white sides, and its ornately patterned black, gray, and white bill. Female Ring-necked Ducks are plain brown overall, with a white eye ring, white area at the base of the bill, and narrow white band near the tip of a dark bill. This duck is named for an iridescent maroon ring around the base of the neck (males only) that is usually only visible at close range in good light.