The World’S Fastest Ducks

Ducks may seem like relaxing pond creatures, but some species can reach surprisingly fast speeds when flying or swimming. If you’ve ever tried to catch a duck, you know they can be quite quick on land as well!

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to what the fastest ducks are: The fastest flying duck is the Red-breasted Merganser, which can reach speeds of 100 mph in mid-air. The fastest swimming duck is the Masked Duck, clocking speeds over 40 mph in the water.

In this article, we’ll cover the world’s speediest duck species in more detail, including the fastest flying ducks, fastest swimming ducks, and fastest ducks on land. We’ll look at how certain species evolved for speed, whether through aerodynamic features, webbed feet, or lightweight bodies.

We’ll also bust some common myths about lightning-quick ducks.

Fastest Flying Ducks

When it comes to speed in the avian world, ducks are certainly impressive fliers. The following duck species are considered some of the fastest in flight.

Red-Breasted Merganser

With wind speeds up to 100 mph, the striking red-breasted merganser edges out many fellow waterfowl for velocity. This medium-sized duck, common in North America and Eurasia, can migrate over 1,800 miles nonstop.

Its streamlined shape assists its high flight speed, enabling it to skillfully chase after fish and aquatic prey.

Long-Tailed Duck

Catching up to the merganser is the distinctively elegant long-tailed duck, also called oldsquaw. Considered one of the fastest flying ducks in North America and northern Eurasia, it zips along at airspeeds around 80 mph. Flocks maneuver adeptly together through twisting paths over open water.

Reaching top speed requires running across the water to take off.

Canvasback

One more high velocity duck from North America is the canvasback, showing off airspeeds of 70 mph. This handsome diving duck uses its forceful wingbeats to chase submerged plants and roots. Migrating canvasbacks fly in distinctive wavering lines and V-shaped formations, covering up to 1,500 miles to wintering grounds.

These remarkable duck species show off the impressive flight capabilities in the waterfowl world. Their high air speeds, long-distance migrations, and agile movements are aided by evolved lightweight bodies and strong wings tailored for speed.

Fastest Swimming Ducks

Masked Duck

The masked duck is considered one of the fastest swimming ducks in the world. This small chestnut brown duck inhabits Australia and can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour when escaping predators or strong currents. Their webbed feet and streamlined bodies make them excellent swimmers.

Masked ducks use their speed to quickly dive and find food like insects, small fish, and aquatic plants.

Ruddy Duck

The ruddy duck is another speedy duck species found in North America. Their stiff tail feathers help propel them through water at speeds up to 23 miles per hour. Ruddy ducks use their speed to escape danger and chase down food.

Their partially webbed feet and compact size allow them to dart through winding marsh channels. Males perform an elaborate mating dance by stomping their feet and slapping water to impress females.

Bufflehead

With a small body and short wingspan, the bufflehead is considered one of the fastest diving ducks. They can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour when escaping predators or hunting. Their streamlined profile reduces drag and allows them to swiftly pursue fish, mollusks, and aquatic invertebrates underwater.

During migration, buffleheads maintain speeds around 40 miles per hour. The male’s striking white head plumage led to nicknames like “butterball” and “spirit duck.”

Fastest Ducks on Land

Northern Pintail

With its slender and streamlined figure, the Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is considered one of the fastest ducks on land. These long-necked waterfowl can reach running speeds up to 20 miles per hour on the ground. Their elongated silhouette and pointed tail seems designed for speed and efficiency.

During takeoff, the Northern Pintail requires a running start to get airborne. Using their strong legs, these ducks sprint across the water, beating their wings furiously before finally lifting off. This takeoff method allows the birds to achieve faster flight speeds.

Once in the air, the streamlined ducks are also among the fastest fliers in North America, clocking airspeeds approaching 60 miles per hour.

The Northern Pintail’s speed comes in handy when evading predators like foxes, coyotes, and eagles. It also helps them catch insects and snatch up grains and seeds from fields during feeding. Research from sites like Ducks Unlimited shows that the athleticism of pintails enables them to migrate long distances quickly between their breeding grounds in North America and wintering areas as far south as South America.

Green-Winged Teal

Despite having small bodies, Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) are shockingly quick on land and water. Weighing less than 1 pound, these tiny ducks can sprint at speeds over 15 miles per hour. Their swiftness aids them on migration, as Green-winged Teal fly some of the longest routes of any duck species.

Some travel more than 2,500 miles between Alaska and South America annually.

In flight, the Green-winged Teal are masters of rapid directional changes and zig-zagging maneuvers. This helps them evade predators in wetlands across North America. While feeding, the energetic little ducks can snatch insects and seeds at lightning speeds.

Their fast reaction time gives them an advantage when competing for food resources.

Researchers speculate that the Green-winged Teal’s high metabolism and efficient digestive system give them a boost of usable energy, allowing these tiny athletes to burn rubber on land and water. Sites like the National Audubon Society provide more details on the natural history and biology behind the talents of these small speedsters.

American Black Duck

American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) are larger diving ducks found primarily on the East Coast. While bulky in build, they possess an unexpected nimbleness and quickness on land. Researchers have recorded these hefty ducks hitting top speeds above 10 miles per hour on sprints across ground.

Their strong wings also enable flight at speeds over 40 miles per hour.

This dashing speed comes in handy on migration as American Black Ducks travel along the Atlantic Flyway between inland North America and coastal wintering grounds. The ducks’ fast foot speed also aids in escaping predators in east coast marshes.

Despite their size, they can explode into flight quickly during takeoffs.

Research on sites like Ducks Unlimited details how the American Black Duck’s speed and stamina enable it to dive and feed on mollusks, aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and vegetation across various wetland habitats.

Evolution for Speed

Aerodynamic Bodies and Wings

Ducks have evolved streamlined bodies and wings that allow them to move swiftly through the water and air. Their bodies are shaped like torpedoes, with a narrow head and thick torso that tapers off towards the rear.

This smooth, hydrodynamic shape enables them to slice through water with minimal drag.

Their wings are also specially adapted for speed. The broad, flat shape of a duck’s wing provides plenty of surface area for generating lift and propelling the bird forward during flight. Yet the wings can also be swept back and pressed against the body, reducing drag when diving underwater to catch prey.

Webbed Feet for Swimming

A duck’s webbed feet provide huge advantages for swimming. Their toes are connected by stretchy webbing that expands when kicked back, acting like paddles and providing more surface area to push against the water. This allows ducks to generate tremendous propulsive force.

Many duck species also have lobes on their feet that work like tiny fins, further improving their swimming abilities. When combined with their slippery, waterproof plumage, ducks are able to paddle through the water at impressive speeds.

Lightweight Structures

Most ducks have lightweight, hollow bones which is an excellent adaptation for speed. The air-filled bones are rigid enough to support flight and swimming, yet light enough that ducks can quickly accelerate and maneuver.

This skeletal structure reduces the power needed for takeoff and enables some species to fly at speeds over 60 mph.

Another weight-saving adaptation is that ducks lack heavy teeth and chewing muscles. They swallow their food whole, relying on their muscular gizzard to grind up food once swallowed. This substantially reduces the weight of a duck’s head and neck – more evolutionary fine-tuning for speed.

Myths about Fast Ducks

Mallards as Fast Fliers

There is a common myth that Mallards can reach top flying speeds of 60 mph. However, recent research shows their actual top speed is closer to 30-40 mph based on factors like wing size and body weight.

Mallards are rapid flyers capable of migrating long distances, but likely not as speedy as the urban myths claim.

Wood Ducks as Speedy Swimmers

Wood ducks are gorgeous swimmers that really scoot across ponds and rivers! But just how fast can they go? Old hunter tales speak of Woodies hitting 20 mph in a sprint. Modern studies give a more reasonable top speed of 8 mph. Still not too shabby for a duck on water!

Duck Speed Capabilities

When it comes to fast ducks, the truth is often stretched into tall tales. Most duck species top out between 30-60 mph in flight and 5-10 mph swimming. The speed kings appear to be the Canvasback at 72 mph flying and the Masked Duck at 14 mph on water according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

But even the fastest ducks likely can’t match the most outrageous duck speed stories!

Conclusion

While not traditionally thought of for their speed, some duck species have evolved surprising velocity capacities in the air, water, and on land. When trying to escape predators or migrate long distances, certain ducks can truly become nature’s fastest feathered creatures.

Hopefully this overview gave you a new appreciation for ducks as more than just casual pond-swimmers. Next time you spot a merganser or masked duck, see if you can detect their speed adaptations for yourself!