10 Ducks That Dive For Fish!

Ducks dive underwater or beneath the water surface to get aquatic food sources, particularly for catching small fish. They’re considered as diving duck species from Aythyini and Merginae subfamilies where a short list includes:

1. Scaup
2. Bufflehead
3. Ruddy
4. Canvasback
5. Merganser
6. Gadwall
7. Goldeneye
8. Eider
9. Harlequin
10. Long-tailed, etc.

They are the ducks that dive for fish underwater due to hunger. However, to learn more about diving ducks and their preferred food in water, go a little further. I have the most common ducks who dive and swim to fulfill their appetite.

Ducks That Dive For Fish –  A Standout Duck Species List!

Not gonna lie; through my extensive research, I discovered 25+ species of diving and sea ducks. But, the most frequently observed ducks include ten different species.

Some of them dive too deep, and some a little just to get fish. Read the details for more facts about them. Before that, take a look at the video of diving ducks to identify them:

1. Scaup (Aythya marila)

Also known as pochards or bluebills in North America. Greater scaup is common in Europe due to their underwater diving activities. More specifically, it is mostly seen near the Northern Hemisphere.

Such waterfowl species dive underwater not only for small fish but also for mollusks and crustaceans.

However, don’t mix the migratory lesser scaups and greater scaups. Lesser scaups are mostly seen in rivers, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. They also dabble in water for aquatic plants such as wild celery, pondweed, wild rice, or bulrushes.

But when are they more available? As they are migratory birds, they spend winter in:

• North America
• Europe
• Japan

But in summer, you’ll find them available near:

• Northern Canada
• Europe
• Alaska
• Siberia.

Take a look at the video:

2. Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

The small sea duck with buffalo-head is also a common duck species that depend on aquatic invertebrates and small fish. Surprisingly, they directly take flight from the water. They are quite energetic while catching their food sources underwater.

They are not only a diver but also a swift-flying bird that breeds in woodland ponds or bogs in Alaska and Northern California. When in migration, you’ll possibly see them foraging in:

• United States
• Canada’s Pacific coast 
• Northern Mexic

They can also be seen near lakes and ponds near the poplar and aspen forests. It’s particularly during their breeding season. And when it’s winter, coastal waters and shallow bays are their savior. However, their main job to migrate is to get some fish, plants, or small insects.

Recommended Reading: Bufflehead Ducks Diet

So, yes, they dive for fish, along with insects, mollusks, and crustaceans, but mostly if the ice thaws. And they dive and swim for plants during winter.

Look at the video of a flock of buffleheads diving underwater for food sources.

3. Ruddy (Oxyura jamaicensis)

The stiff-tailed North American ducks are mostly seen in water and also dive to catch fish. They are mostly seen in freshwater lakes, marshes, and ponds. But they fly to coastal bays, estuaries, and shallow saltwater.

If you do not know, Ruddy ducks are great divers and spend almost all their time swimming and diving for food. As I said, they eat fish in water, shellfish, zooplankton crustaceans, and roots and seeds of aquatic plants are their favorite. It’s how they get their nutrition mostly the protein.

Recommended Reading: Protein For Ducks

Do you know how they grab food underwater? Ruddy, being rude underwater, skims the water’s surface. Plus, they strain mud and water through the bills to swallow. According to the National Audobon Society, they forage by dabbling on rare occasions.

Here is a video of the way ruddy ducks eat underwater.

4. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria)

From the Anatidae family, Canvasbacks with red eyes are a rare migratory breed that also lives for aquatic small fish and vegetation. So, they are on the list of ducks that dive for fish.

This large duck breed’s name came from their favorite food, celery root. The celery root is Valisineria americana, whereas the canvasback duck’s name is Arthya valisineria.

They eat fish by diving underwater sources. Besides, aquatic plants, buds, seeds, tubers, snails, insects, and their larvae are a common part of natural diet.

If you wanna see them where they find food, check out Western Canada or in Northcentral states. It’s because they migrate to

• East & West Coasts of America
• Southern United States
• Mexico

For subtly, canvasback ducks are available near places like

• Deep water and prairie marshes
• Bays
• Lakes
• Ponds

But if it’s winter, they will be seen diving in coastal water or freshwater lakes just for comfort zones and food sources.

Have a look at this waterfowl for a general introduction, as they’re quite rare.

5. Merganser (Mergus merganser)

Here comes the fastest duck or Sawbill with a 100 mph speed record! And generally, it’s 81 mph speed that Merganser follows! 

So, just imagine how fast a merganser or goosander can dive and catch their prey like fish!

Whether it’s the smallest hooded merganser or any other type, they won’t miss foraging underwater. In particular, they catch the crayfish the most. But if they’re in forest regions, they consume seeds, aquatic plants, frogs, or snails.

Where can you find these birds diving? In most cases, they stay in Eastern US states but visit the Midwest, Southern US states, and West Coast in winter.

But what type of water do they look for to grab small fish? This red-breasted merganser stays in freshwater ponds, lakes, or rivers in slow motion. But when migrating, they fly to open water or in coastal bays.

6. Gadwall (Mareca strepera)

Same size as Mallards, Gadwell also dives to have their primary diet. They often forage for plants, aquatic invertebrates, seeds, stems, leaves, fish, crustaceans, beetles, insects, and small amphibians. 

Although they catch fish, winter makes them forage for submerged vegetation. And while eating, they remain active above the water.

Where can you find them diving? Mostly, they are seen in places such as:

• North America (Palearctic)
• Africa
• Europe
• Asia
• Eurasia

Aside from geographical location, they are actually seen diving in Brackish water, marshes, open wetlands, or small lakes and ponds. It’s what Animal Diversity Web and other sources found.

7. Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Goldeneye ducks are fairly seen in North America, Canada, and Alaska during summer. Interestingly, they are seen eating fish and other aquatic creatures.

Generally, such duck species feed along shorelines or shallow water, which is less than 13 feet. But some of them forage too deep, around 20 feet. 

All over the year, they tend to forage underwater with prey like 32% crustaceans, 28% insects, and 10% mollusks. But migration time changes their food diets; they include fish, eggs, and plants the most in the list.

See the video:

8. Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Recognized as a sea duck, Cuddy’s duck, or St. Cuthbert’s duck, the Eider is a must-listed diver who catches fish. They have 6 subspecies, and the majority of them are seen in North America. But migrate to the South for food sources like fish in water.

They can go underwater around 10 meters and prefer sea saltwater and marine rather than visiting any other water sources. But rarely dive into the lakes for small fish and other aquatic diets. During the breeding season, they prefer to stay in places like:

• Coastal islands
• Islets
• Shorelines with vegetation, stunted trees, and shrubs.

However, winters attract them to catch mollusks the most! They swallow whole mussels without even removing the shell. Look at the video:

9. Harlequin (Histrionicus histrionicus)

Harlequin duck, a completely rare sea duck breed, presently available less than one thousand. They also have the diving habit of getting water fish. They also have swimming expertise to reach the food sources underwater.

Not only the small fish, but they also look for other water creatures. So here is their aquatic diet list that they catch by diving:

• Marine worms
• Intertidal benthic invertebrates
• Periwinkles
• Blue mussels
• Mollusks
• Chitons
• Clams
• Limpets
• Crustaceans. 

Also, they don’t leave floating aquatic insects in the water like the other diving ducks.

So, where can you see them diving for food? As they are rare, you’ll see them near mountain streams during summer and in rocky coastal water during winter.

If you have never seen harlequin ducks in water, here is a video for you!

10. Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis)

The last duck species that dives underwater to catch fish is the Long-tailed duck, also known as the Oldsquaw. As they’re sea ducks, you’ll see them near the coastlines of the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic. In such locations, their food source is obviously underwater.

But do they only eat small fish? No, they also prefer to swallow mollusks like mussels, periwinkles, or clams. Besides, aquatic insects and crustaceans such as fairy shrimp, isopods, and amphipods are their target.

As far as I know, they can go even 200 feet deep to reach their food sources. Imagine how hungry they become when they go that deep!

If the duck species seems unfamiliar to you, this video will carry special value for you.

Diver Ducks And Their Contribution In Ecosystem

Diving ducks who catch fish have a big contribution to the ecosystem. For example:

• Environment Control: When ducks eat some small fish, they prevent overpopulation in water and keep the aquatic environment in balance.
• Biodiversity: Overpopulated fish in the sea or water can harm other aquatic creatures life. So, ducks diving and catching fish contribute to biodiversity.

Related Articles:

• Best Duck Breeds For Pets
• 11 Small Duck Breeds For Pet
• 5 Best Duck Breeds for Eggs

FAQs

To let you know more facts about ducks diving and catching fish, I’m including some frequently asked questions.

Final Say

So, I included 10 ducks that dive for fish for nutrition. These ducks mostly depend on not only small fish but also aquatic plants, invertebrates, crustaceans, etc. And if you wanna see them, coastal areas or sea is their prior location.

However, among all the diver ducks, I find Eider, Merganser, and especially the long-tailed ducks most interesting. Long-tailed ducks because they have the magical ability to go too deep, like around 100 to 200 feet. More surprisingly, they are even contributing to the water ecosystem by eating fish as their diet.

Sources & References:

• https://www.britannica.com/animal/bufflehead
• https://www.ndow.org/species/gadwall/