: Breeds. and, once eggs are laid, hard to detect, beginning mid/late Apr on small lakes and ponds with fringing emergent vegetation.
Migration: to on small freshwater lakes and ponds mid Mar-late Apr with a peak late Mar-early Apr and from late Feb. early Oct-mid Nov with a peak mid/late Oct and to early Dec. on saltwater.
: mid Dec-late Feb where fresh water remains unfrozen.
Miscellany: Ring-necked Ducks were very scarce to absent through the first half of the 20th century but have since expanded their range east from the Great Lakes to become a and regular breeder. As in many waterfowl species, male Ring-necks abandon their female once egg laying begins.
You can learn more about Ring-necked Ducks and see images here.
Last Reviewed: July 26th, 2026