The 2026 Waterfowl Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Canadian Wildlife Service on traditional midcontinent breeding areas with the top 10 species and the number of ponds (Prairie Canada & North-Central U.S.) observed in May and June compared to 2025 survey and percentage changes from 2025 and the long-term average (LTA, since 1955). Six other species are included in the total ducks count:
;;%change;%change
Species;2026;2025;from 2025;from LTA
Mallard;5,859,000;6,554,000;-11%;-26%
Gray;2,351,000;2,414,000;-3%;+13%
Wigeon;2,940,000;3,191,000;-8%;+12%
Greenwing Teal;2,334,000;2,550,000;-8%;+6%
Bluewing Teal;3,962,000;4,432,000;-11%;-22%
Shoveler;3,289,000;2,758,000;+19%;+24%
Pintail;1,988,000;2,239,000;-11%;-48%
Redhead;931,000;918,000;+1%;+28%
Canvasback;782,000;690,000;+13%;+32%
Scaup;4,155,000;3,675,000;+13%;-15%
Total Ducks;33,439,000;33,980,000;-2%;-6%
May Ponds
U.S./Canada;4,761,000;4,180,000;+14%;-9%
Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service