It looks like we have some new ducks hanging around our small lake. Usually the only ducks are mallards, but I’ve seen less of them and more of what I think are ring-necked ducks. In looking at the migration patterns for the ring-necks, the migrate here and stay for the winter.
My question is what happens to the mallards? Do they put up with the intruders for the winter? Can the lake support both varieties?
If not, where do they go? I know we have other lakes around, but presumably the ring-necks, and other migrating birds, hang around there as well.
In their summer home we see them together at times. Mallards are dabblers(puddle) ducks, and ring necks are more of a diver. I don’t think they compete all that much, But hey, i am just a duck hunter not a biologist:D
Bump. Will no one think of the mallards? 
Gbro has the answer. A lake can support diverse species of ducks, the little lake I used to live near would have Mallards, Gadwalls, Bluebills, Ruddy Ducks, Shovelers, etc, plus geese, all at the same time.