Louisiana’s wintering waterfowl population is on the rise, according to the latest aerial duck survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
LDWF officials report an estimated 1.66 million ducks across Louisiana’s coastal zone and the Little River Basin following surveys conducted December 15–18, 2025. That figure represents a 6 percent increase from December 2024, when approximately 1.56 million ducks were recorded. The total is also 8 percent above the most recent five-year average, signaling a strong season for wintering waterfowl.
The survey breaks down duck populations by region and species, showing particularly strong numbers among dabbling ducks, which totaled 1.29 million birds, and diving ducks, which accounted for 361,000 birds. Combined, the total duck population reached approximately 1.65 million, with an additional 693,000 coots observed statewide.
Among individual species, pintails led the count with an estimated 434,000 birds, followed by gadwall at 306,000 and green-winged teal at 209,000. Blue-winged teal totaled 198,000, while mallards accounted for 13,000 across surveyed regions.
LDWF noted some of the most dramatic year-over-year increases were seen in several diving and dabbling species. Canvasbacks increased by 353 percent, scaup by 300 percent, wigeon by 133 percent, and pintails by 86 percent compared to last December.
Each year, LDWF conducts aerial waterfowl surveys during September, November, December, and January to monitor abundance and distribution across the state. Officials say the data collected is vital for guiding responsible wildlife management and ensuring healthy waterfowl populations for future hunting seasons and conservation efforts.
“These surveys provide a critical snapshot of Louisiana’s role as a wintering ground for migratory waterfowl,” LDWF officials said. “They help ensure science-based decisions that support both conservation and outdoor traditions.”
Additional survey flights are planned later this winter to continue tracking population trends statewide.
