Female has the same head shape but is brownish, with a light patch near the bill. A common spring migrant to the area, prefers open water, flies in tight packs. Ring-necked ducks resemble scaup but have a dull chestnut colored ring around the neck. The heads are very triangular, with a black tipped bill ringed in white, hence often called ring-billed. The backs are very black in males.
Females resemble scaup without the distinctive white patch.
Prefers small wooded lakes and wetland ponds. The male has a dark green head, no neck ring and a white breast. Fairly rare overall, but a common migrant to the area in small ponds and wetlands. The female is far less gaudy and can be told by the small bill and pronounced eye ring. They are seldom seen far from small ponds, rivers, and floodings with abundant trees.