NW FL Gulf Coast Duck ID

[duckdigler]

I was spec fishing today, in Pensacola, Fl and saw alot of diver ducks, but couldn't get close enough to see exactly what kind they were. The majority had a dark head, white chest and dark wings. They were in small and large groups, flying low on the water. They would get up, fly low, then sit back down on the water. I know they were not coots. Anyone know type of duck this might be? I checked the DU Waterfowl ID and could not identify the ducks I saw.

[mossyisland]

Sounds like bluebills.

[slayem]

It sounds like to me you could take me fishin and ill identify em for ya.. ha

[medic11]

Would say ring necks, but when they get up they get up high, if there was some white in the head I would say buffleheads, maybe blue bills ?

[duckdigler]

I could see white on the head of some of them, which makes me think bufflehead. There was a variety of ducks. Thanks for the help.

[jebster]

Did these ducks fly just above the water most of the time. If so, they are Buffleheads. However, I have never seen large groups of Buffleheads. Possibly Merganzers?

[music_man]

Ruddy Ducks!

[jctrapper]

sounds like the buffleheads i have seen

[duckdigler]

Did these ducks fly just above the water most of the time. If so, they are Buffleheads. However, I have never seen large groups of Buffleheads. Possibly Merganzers?

Yes, when they would fly, they would fly low to the water, but not in large groups (5-!%), but there were several different size groups. When we got back to marina, we saw three drake red breasted mergansers. First for me.

[webfootnut]

Sounds like buffle heads to me ringnecks are not saltwater ducks they like inland freshwater lakes and shallow vegitation. I have never seen ruddy ducks at the coast all we get in nw fla on the coast are lots of redheads bluebills buffleheads and few merganseres, I would bet what u saw were buffleheads.