6 Winter Waterfowl to Look for on the Cape

Winter on Cape Cod is a great time to search for ducks, geese, loons, and grebes. Known as waterfowl, these wetland birds begin their mating rituals in midwinter, which means that the males are sporting their colorful breeding plumages and courting potential mates.

Bundle up and spend some time outside near open saltwater or freshwater spaces for a chance to catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals.

Hooded Merganser

The Hooded Merganser boasts a crest that can be raised or flattened to change the shape and size of its head. Males use their crest to impress females during courtship. These small ducks make their nests in hollowed trees and use their sawtooth bill to catch fish.

American Wigeon

The American Wigeon is among the most vocal ducks you’ll find on Cape Cod. They can usually be found in flocks in freshwater bodies or grazing on land. When flying, you’ll notice a big white patch on the upper wings. Don’t be fooled by their compact size—they’re known for stealing food from other birds!

Northern Pintail

The Northern Pintail gets its name from the long, sharp tail of the male breeding plumage. These dabbling ducks hang out on the water’s surface, tipping their bodies forward so that their heads are underwater while their backsides point up in the air. This method allows them to feed on seeds and insects from the water. 

Long-Tailed Duck

The Long-tailed Duck can be found on open saltwater feeding on small crustaceans, snails, or wintering aquatic larvae. They can dive an impressive 200 feet below the surface! Their namesake comes from the male’s long, slender tail feathers.

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Mergansers sport a shaggy crest of feathers and a long, thin, serrated bill. They dive underwater to feed on small fish and can often be found near jetties and piers. Although they prefer saltwater, the Red-breasted Merganser also spend time on large bodies of freshwater.

Common Elder

The Common Eider sports downy feathers with incredible insulating qualities. Perfect for lining their nests, the feathers are also prized by humans for use in down coats and pillows. Cape Cod comprises an important segment of their wintering range.

Traveling in enormous flocks, half a million Common Eider winter off the shores of Chatham alone. The large sea ducks dive underwater in search of mussels and mollusks to eat.

Waterfowl Hotspots on Cape Cod

Cape Cod offers incredible birding opportunities for both new and seasoned observers. A crucial location along the Atlantic flyway, Cape Cod welcomes hundreds of migratory bird species each year, many of which stay for the winter. Here are just a few of our favorite winter birdwatching locations:

• Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable: Part of the new All Persons Trail, the Harbor Overlook Trail offers breathtaking views of Barnstable Harbor and Sandy Neck beach. Bring your binoculars and turn your eyes to the skies and the ocean surface for waterfowl and seabirds. Continue along the trail to visit Night Heron Pond, another local birding hotspot.
• Ashumet Pond, Falmouth: Great for more than just fishing, this natural kettle pond also attracts a variety of winter waterfowl. Park your car at the boat ramp and enjoy all that this 220-acre pond has to offer. 
• Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham: Morris Island, part of the refuge, features a range of prime birding habitats, including dunes, mudflats, salt marshes, and open ocean. Bundle up and take your time exploring for a chance to spot sea ducks and other hardy winter birds.
• Herring Pond, Eastham: This kettle pond supports the widest variety of both diving and dabbling ducks on the outer Cape, thanks in part to the herring run, freshwater mussels, and submerged plants providing food for a variety of species.
• Provincetown and Wellfleet Harbors: Offering refuge from the elements, harbors provide the protection, food, and habitat waterfowl need during the long winter months. Both Wellfleet and Provincetown Harbors offer excellent winter birding, including close looks and photography opportunities with ducks, loons, and grebes that normally keep their distance. Spend the day visiting lookout points along Cape Cod Bay—you won’t be disappointed!