Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl

Waterfowl are known for two common characteristics: they tend to gather in large groups called colonies during their nesting seasons and they like to get all or most of their food from the water. These birds also like to live by water like rivers, lakes, and other bodies of fresh water.
 
A gaggle of Canada Geese in the grass standing in a group. They are all facing the same direction and acting like they are looking at something very intently.
A gaggle of geese on Virginius Island
NPS Photo/A. Cook

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

• Canada Geese choose their mates “assortatively” where larger birds choose larger mates and smaller birds choose smaller mates
• When threatened the Canada Goose pumps its head, opens its beak with it’s tongue raised, makes hissing noises, honks, and their neck feathers vibrate
• During spring and summer, geese like to eat grasses and sedges. In fall and winter, geese eat more berries and seeds

 
A black and white drawing of a Canada Goose
Illustration of a Canada Goose
NPS/Intern Tristan Thomas

Identification Information:

• Size: Goose sized or larger (large bird)
• Color: Black head with white cheeks and chinstrap. Black neck with tan lower neck and belly with a brown back.
 
A flock of wood ducks on a log in the Shenandoah Canal
A flock of Wood Ducks on a fallen tree in the Shenandoah Canal
NPS Photo/A. Cook

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

• Wood Ducks love to eat seeds, fruits, insects, and some small aquatic species
• They are strong fliers and can fly up to speeds as fast as 30 miles per hour
• Wood Ducks live in bottomland forests, swamps, freshwater marshes, and beaver ponds
 
A black and white drawing of a Wood Duck
Illustration of a Wood Duck
NPS/Intern Tristan Thomas

Identification Information:

• Size: Between a crow and goose (Medium)
• Color: Males have a glossy green head with white stripes, they have dark brown sides with a white belly. Females are a gray-brown with white spots on their chest
 
All of the above information is an abbreviated version of information gathered from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Please visit their website for more in-depth bird information.

Last updated: September 13, 2019

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
National Park Service
PO Box 65

Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Phone:

304 535-6029

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