Arizona occasionally hosts a surprising variety of rare duck species, most often as individual vagrants or in small numbers during migration or winter. The Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), a long-legged, tawny-brown species of warm southern wetlands, has been recorded sporadically in flooded agricultural fields and marshes, typically in summer. The striking Baikal Teal (Sibirionetta formosa), native to eastern Asia, is a very rare visitor, with only a few well-documented occurrences in the state. The Garganey (Spatula querquedula), an Eurasian dabbling duck, has appeared irregularly in shallow wetlands, usually in spring. The Eurasian Wigeon (Mareca penelope), more frequent than most Old World ducks in Arizona, is reported almost annually in mixed flocks with American Wigeons (Mareca americana) during winter. The Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), with its bold black-and-white plumage and rear crest, is a rare wintering diving duck, often found among scaup on larger lakes. Three scoter species—Black Scoter (Melanitta americana), White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi), and Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)—are rare to very rare in Arizona, typically seen on large reservoirs in late fall or winter. The Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), an Arctic breeder, is an uncommon winter visitor, usually solitary or in small groups on deep, open waters. Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica), far less common than the similar Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), appears sporadically on northern lakes in winter. The Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), more marine in its usual range, is an uncommon migrant and winter visitor to Arizona’s larger lakes and reservoirs, sometimes lingering into spring. The Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus), a small sea duck in bold blue, chestnut, and white plumage, is an exceptional rarity, usually tied to unusual inland movements. Together, these species highlight the state’s role as an occasional destination for wandering waterfowl far outside their typical ranges.
Tufted Duck