Field Guide

Explore the Field Guide to learn about more than 350 species of birds, fish, insects, algae, invertebrates, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians that live in the Chesapeake Bay region.

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Showing: 10 of 24

American Black Duck

Anas rubripes

The American black duck is a dusky brown dabbling duck that appears black from a distance. It lives year-round along the quiet, isolated tidal wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.

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A male and female American black duck, set apart by the color of their bills, swim in a body of water.
Birds

American Wigeon

Mareca americana

Wintering in the Bay, American wigeons are known for the green stripe and white spot on the heads of males.

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Two wigeons fly together through a farm during winter.
Birds

Blue-Winged Teal

Anas discors

This small dabbling duck is named for the powder-blue patches on its forewings. It can be found in the marshes and wetlands of the Chesapeake region in spring and fall.

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A female blue-winged teal swims through a body of water with a white crescent on its face and brown, mottled feathers.
Birds

Brant

Branta bernicla

Brants are winter-loving waterfowl that breed in the high Arctic and migrate to the Chesapeake region during winter

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A brant stands in green grass with its black head and neck leaning slightly forward.
Birds

Bufflehead

Bucephala albeola

The bufflehead is a small, chunky, energetic diving duck that visits the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers from autumn through spring.

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A male bufflehead flies over a body of water, its orange feet held straight back from its body and its open wings displaying their characteristic white patches.
Birds

Canada Goose

Branta canadensis

The Canada goose is a large, plump bird with a brownish back and a long, black neck. It is a common visitor to the Chesapeake Bay region from autumn through spring. Many Canada geese also live in the Bay watershed year-round.

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A Canada goose swims in a body of gray green water, its long black neck held upright and its black feet visible just under the water's surface.
Birds

Canvasback

Aythya valisineria

The canvasback is a large diving duck with a distinctive long, sloping facial profile. It visits the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers from autumn through spring.

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A male canvasback swims in a body of water. Its eyes are red and a water droplet hangs from its beak.
Birds

Common Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula

The common goldeneye is an active diving duck that can be identified by its golden yellow eyes and white, rounded face patches. It visits the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers from late autumn through spring.

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A male goldeneye swims in a body of water. Its eyes are yellow and water droplets dot its back.
Birds

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

The greater scaup visits the east coast of the Chesapeake region during the winter. Females are brown with a white patch on their face, and males are white with a dark rump and head.

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A male greater scaup in breeding plumage swims in a body of water. Its golden eye and bluish bill stand out in the sunlight.
Birds

Green-Winged Teal

Anas crecca

The green-winged teal is a small dabbling duck with iridescent green patches on its head and wings. It lives in tidal marshes and wetlands throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers from autumn through spring.

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A male green-winged teal flies over a body of water in which other ducks can be seen but are out of focus. With its wings outstretched, this view emphasizes the vibrant green patches on both wings, some parts darker and brighter green in the light. The rest of the top feathers are gray.
Birds