Ring-billed Duck, Ringill, Blackjack, Ring-neck, American Tufted Duck, Marsh Bluebill and other local names. ... The female is brownish with a gray to white belly and dark-brown tail.

In the hand, and when fully plumed, ring-necked ducks have more tufted heads than bluebills. Most noticeably, ringnecks have gray speculums (on the tops of their wings), not white, like bluebills.

I noted the dark body, light sides and distinctive white ring around the tip of the bill. When I got home and discovered that I had seen my first Ring-necked Duck, I was pleased and also confused.