Duck Bones

At Jamestown, large populations of ducks were a welcome surprise to the colonists. Duck was a staple of Tudor dining, particularly for the common and poor folks of England. Virginia waters had, “More plentie of swannes, cranes, geese, duckes, and mallards, and divers sorts of fowles, none would desire.” During the winter months, these duck populations would have increased as migration brought more birds to the region.

Thus far, archaeologists at Jamestown Rediscovery have identified several duck species from features including Pit 1, Pit 3, the First Well, and the Second Well. These include mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), diving ducks (Aythya spp.), dabbling ducks (Anas spp.), ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris), black ducks (Anas rubripes), wood ducks (Aix sponsa), and ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis). Several of these duck bones have evidence of burning and butchery, which is consistent with their use as a dietary staple.

Ducks are diverse, with species ranging in regards to size and coloration. In many duck species, like the wood ducks recovered from Jamestown, the males have bright, colorful plumage. Male ruddy ducks, though more subdued in feather colors compared to wood ducks, are known for their distinct teal-colored bills.

Several dozen duck species live in or migrate to Virginia today. In the Chesapeake region, notable duck species that you may see if you visit Jamestown include wood ducks, ruddy ducks, black ducks, redhead ducks (Aythya americana), red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator), northern shovelers (Anas clypeata), northern pintails (Anas acuta), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis), and hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus), among others.