AGE RECORDS

Information on life span is collected every time a banded bird is reported to the Bird Banding Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. And the record ages for some duck species may surprise you.
Canvasback, 29 years, 6 months
Black duck, 26 years, 5 months
Mallard 26 years, 4 months
Blue-winged teal, 23 years, 3 months
Redhead, 22 years, 7 months
Wood duck, 22 years, 6 months
Northern pintail, 22 years, 3 months
American wigeon, 20 years, 11 months
Ring-necked duck, 20 years, 5 months
Green-winged teal, 20 years, 3 months