About Ducks

Ducks are cute! Duck is the common name for numerous species in the waterfowl family Anatidae which also includes swans and geese. Ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the family Anatidae; they do not represent a monophyletic group (the group of all descendants of a single common ancestral species) but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered ducks. Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, mostly smaller than the swans and geese, and may be found in both fresh water and sea water.

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The word duck comes from Old English *dūce "diver", a derivative of the verb *dūcan "to duck, bend down low as if to get under something, or dive", because of the way many species in the dabbling duck group feed by upending; compare with Dutch duiken and German tauchen "to dive".

The overall body plan of ducks is elongated and broad, and the ducks are also relatively long-necked, albeit not as long-necked as the geese and swans. The body shape of diving ducks varies somewhat from this in being more rounded. The bill is usually broad and contains serrated pectens, which are particularly well defined in the filter-feeding species. In the case of some fishing species the bill is long and strongly serrated. The scaled legs are strong and well developed, and generally set far back on the body, more so in the highly aquatic species. The wings are very strong and are generally short and pointed, and the flight of ducks requires fast continuous strokes, requiring in turn strong wing muscles. Three species of steamer duck are almost flightless, however. Many species of duck are temporarily flightless while moulting; they seek out protected habitat with good food supplies during this period. This moult typically precedes migration. Click for Source!

Duck Facts

Habitat

There are many different species of these birds, and they live in a wide variety of habitats. These creatures are waterfowl, and of course live in regions with water, and acquire most of their food in and around the water. They inhabit lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, retention ponds, wetlands, marshes, bays, and more. Different species have different habitat preferences.

Distribution

Ducks live virtually across the globe, and some species even range into sub-Antarctic and Arctic regions as well. Various species live in North, Central, and South America, Europe, Asia, India, Africa, Australia, and more. Some species live across entire continents, while others live on just a single island. Each individual species has its own range and distribution.

Diet

Different ducks have different diets. Some species are primarily herbivores, and eat mostly plants. Other species are mostly carnivorous, and hunt for fish, insects, and small animals. Many species eat both, and are omnivorous. Ducks have two feeding strategies, some dabble for food and others dive. Dabbling ducks usually do not dive below the surface, but simply tip upside down and use their long necks to reach their food underwater. Conversely, diving ducks dive all the way underwater to search for food!

Behavior

Behavior varies from species to species. Many species are very social, and they live in groups called “flocks,” and they swim, roost, and forage for food together. Other species are less social, and either live alone or in pairs. Ducks communicate using a wide variety of sounds. While some “quack,” the vast majority do not. Some whistle, squeak, grunt, hiss, and more.

Reproduction

Many species of these waterfowl reproduce with one mate per season. Other species mate with one partner for life. Most species build their nests close to the water, and some even use hollows in trees as their nests. Once their babies, called “ducklings,” hatch, the female leads them to the water. Female ducks protect their ducklings and lead them to food until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

Duck and Human Interaction

Humans and ducks interact in many different ways. We have domesticated some species for food, eggs, feathers, and as pets. Hunters find other wild species popular for sport and for their meat and feathers. Humans are destroying the habitats of some species of these birds as well. The various human interactions cause different levels of threat to different species. Some are incredibly common and widespread, others incredibly rare.

Domestication

Humans have domesticated some species of ducks. From these species, we have developed many different breeds in a variety of sizes and colors. We keep domestic ducks for food, eggs, pets, and for their feathers. Humans domesticated two primary species into the breeds we know today, the mallard duck and the Muscovy duck. Does the Duck Make a Good Pet? Yes, some species make good pets, but only to the right people, and they should never be household pets. They need lots of space to graze and search for food, and plenty of water to swim in. Wild duck species are never good pets. Domesticated species are friendlier and easier to raise. Providing for domestic ducks is slightly more difficult than some other types of poultry. These birds need plenty of space, and also plenty of water. They should have a large water body to swim in, and clean water to drink out of. It is important to protect your waterfowl from predators as well, using protective fencing and enclosures to roost in. Many different companies have produced a wide variety of pelleted feeds for these birds.

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Duck types

When most non-birders think of ducks, they picture the common mallard or various hybrid ducks on local ponds. Birders know, however, that there are many different types of ducks, few of which actually have the word “duck” in their name. While all these ducks belong to the Anatidae bird family, the scientific family of ducks is so diverse that it is possible to group certain duck species into smaller divisions by their common characteristics. By understanding the different types of duck groups and related species, identifying ducks can become much easier and birders will learn to better appreciate all ducks.

Here are five types of ducks every birder needs to know.

Dabbling Duck

“Dabblers” are ducks that tip up in order to feed, rooting through shallow water and mud in search of plants and insects. These ducks will also nibble along the water's surface, and they feed readily on land as well, but they very rarely dive below the water. The most common dabbling duck species is the mallard, but the northern pintail, American wigeon, and different teals are also dabblers.

Diving Duck

Diving ducks are agile swimmers that dive far beneath the surface of the water in search of food, including fish, insects, and aquatic plants. These ducks prefer to stay in the water and can be ungainly and awkward on land, and they have to build up speed to take off from the water's surface. Diving duck species include the scaups, goldeneyes, canvasback, and redhead.

Perching Duck

Perching ducks have prominent talons on their webbed feet to give them better grips to perch. They can regularly be found perching in trees along wooded waterways and other areas with appropriate trees for nesting, and they may nest dozens of feet above the ground. The Muscovy, pink-eared, wood and mandarin ducks are familiar and popular examples of perching ducks.

Sea-Duck

Sea-ducks are marine birds found in coastal habitats. They can range further inland during the nesting season and migration, however, and vagrant sightings are regularly recorded as well. These bulky birds have special glands to help them tolerate saltwater without dehydrating. Sea-duck species include the long-tailed duck, eiders, scoters, goldeneyes, and mergansers.

Domestic Duck

Not a wild species, domestic ducks are instead escapees from farms, gardens, and zoos, and they are often kept as pets. These ducks frequently congregate in mixed flocks on urban and suburban ponds. Their indistinct plumage, wide range of sizes, and mottled colors show a high degree of hybridization with other domestic and wild ducks. Unfortunately, overbreeding often leads to culling flocks in urban areas.

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