IA Ring-necked Duck Hunting Guide

Also known as: Ring-necked duck, Ringbill

The ring-necked duck is a diving duck from North America commonly found in freshwater ponds and lakes. The scientific name is derived from Greek aithuia, an unidentified seabird mentioned by authors including Hesychius and Aristotle, and Latin collaris, "of the neck" from collum, "neck".

Life History

Anas collarisDonovan, 1809; Nyroca collaris(Donovan, 1809) Thering-necked duck(Aythya collaris) is adiving duckfromNorth Americacommonly found in freshwater ponds and lakes.[3]The scientific name is derived fromGreekaithuia, an unidentifiedseabirdmentioned by authors includingHesychiusandAristotle, andLatincollaris, "of the neck" fromcollum, "neck".[4] Ring-necked ducks are small to medium-sized diving ducks with the following length, weight, and wingspan measurements:[5] Length: 15.3–18.1 in (39–46 cm); Weight: 17.3–32.1 oz (490–910 g); Wingspan: 24.4–24.8 in (62–63 cm) The adult male is similar in color pattern to the Eurasiantufted duck, its relative. Males are a little bit bigger than the female. It has two white rings surrounding its gray bill, a shiny black angular head, black back, white line on the wings, a white breast and yellow eyes. The adult female has a grayish brown angular head and body with a dark brown back, a dark bill with a more subtle light band than the male, grayish-blue feet and brown eyes with white rings surrounding them. Females also make a noise liketrrr. The cinnamon neck ring is usually difficult to observe, which is why the bird is sometimes referred to as a "ringbill".[6][7][8] These birds areomnivoresand feed mainly by diving or dabbling at the surface. Ducklings are dependent on animal matter such as insects,earthworms,leeches,midgesand snails. As they mature they tend change their diet to submerged plants such aspondweedandcoontail, and emergents such asannual wild riceand snails.[6][7][8]

Hunting Season

Regular duck seasons: Oct-Dec 2026 in three zones.

References

• Iowa — Ring-necked Duck