High in the mountains of Costa Rica, our secluded retreat offers a haven for guests seeking tranquility and immersion in nature. But tranquility doesn’t preclude surprise! Today, we turn our gaze to a rather uncommon visitor that graces our mountain ponds with its presence – the Ring-necked Duck.

While not native to Costa Rica, the Ring-necked Duck is a rare but regular vagrant, gracing Central America with its presence from October/November all the way through May/June. This means that during your stay at our mountain retreat, you might just be lucky enough to spot this special visitor!

A Duck Out of Place: Unveiling the Ring-necked Duck’s Appearance

The Ring-necked Duck is a small to medium-sized diving duck, with males boasting a more striking appearance than their female counterparts. Males are adorned in a sleek black outfit, encompassing their head, neck, breast, and upper body. This dark ensemble is contrasted by a whitish-gray belly and flanks. But the namesake ring on the neck? It’s actually quite subtle – a chestnut-colored band that’s often difficult to discern from afar. This has earned them the nickname “ringbill” among some birdwatchers.

Their folded wings reveal a distinct white wedge on the shoulder, adding another layer of visual interest. Additionally, males sport a short crest on their heads, giving them a unique angular profile.

Females, on the other hand, are clad in a grayish-brown suit, with the darkest hues blanketing the top of their heads. Their faces are adorned with a paler tone around the forehead, chin, and throat. A white ring encircles their eyes, and their overall look leans towards a more subdued elegance.

A Life Aquatic: The Ring-necked Duck’s Habits

These ducks are most active during the day, flitting between feeding, resting, and sunbathing on the water’s surface. Social creatures, they gather in flocks of up to 40 birds during the non-breeding season. However, during migration and winter, these numbers can explode, with flocks exceeding a staggering 10,000 individuals!

When it comes to feeding, the Ring-necked Duck is a true opportunist. They dabble at the water’s surface for readily available food or dive down to impressive depths of up to 10 meters in search of a more aquatic feast. Their diet consists mainly of plant matter such as seeds and tubers of submerged vegetation. However, they won’t turn down a tasty snack of snails, insects, leeches, or other aquatic invertebrates.

While generally silent, the Ring-necked Duck can vocalize when disturbed or in flight. Females emit a high-pitched growl, while both sexes can produce a short, guttural “trrr” sound.

A Glimpse of the Extraordinary: Spotting the Ring-necked Duck at our Retreat

While not guaranteed, spotting a Ring-necked Duck at our mountain retreat is a possibility that adds a touch of the extraordinary to your birding experience. Keep an eye on our tranquil ponds, particularly during the aforementioned timeframe of October/November to May/June. With a bit of patience and a keen eye, you might just be rewarded with a sighting of this unique visitor!

Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, the Ring-necked Duck offers a chance to witness a fascinating avian ambassador from afar. And who knows, perhaps your stay at our Costa Rican retreat will be graced by this unforgettable encounter.

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica

This post is also available in: Français (French) Español (Spanish)