Ducks are birds. Ducks are also called ‘Waterfowl’ because they are normally found in places where there is water like ponds, streams and rivers.
Ducks are related to Geese and Swans in the Anatidae family. Ducks are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as loons (an aquatic bird found in many parts of North America and northern Europe) or grebes (freshwater diving birds) and coots (medium-sized water birds which are members of the Rail Bird family).
Duck Characteristics
Ducks are smaller than than their relatives (swans and geese). Ducks also have shorter necks and wings and a stout body.
A female duck is called a ‘hen’, they are identified by their very-dull, brown feathers. The females have dull-brown feathers so that they can hide from enemies and predators. They can also camouflage themselves in their nests and also protect their young.
A male duck is called a ‘drake’, you can identify the male duck by its brightly colored feathers. They use these colored feathers to attract the female ducks for mating. Here is a beautifully colored Drake with a purple plumage, shiny green head coloring, silvery white body and grey wings with blue markings.
Features
The males use their colorful plumage to attract females. However, they will lose or molt their colorful feathers when the females are busy hatching the eggs. The males will now look like the female in color and will be unable to fly temporarily. They will molt again in early Autumn and get back their colorful feathers and be able to fly again. The females also molt. They replace all their feathers and get new ones after their ducklings are hatched.
Ducks have webbed feet, which are designed for swimming. Their webbed feet act like paddles for the ducks. The reason ducks can swim in cold water is their amazing circulatory system. Their blood vessels are laid out very close to each other in their legs and feet in a network that allows the warm and cool blood to exchange heat.
This allows the warm blood going from the body into the feet to warm the cooler blood re-entering the body from the feet, and the blood going to the feet is cooled enough that the cold does not bother the duck. Thus the duck’s feet are able to tolerate the cold and not bother them. All birds have this circulatory system in their legs and feet.
A duck has water-proof feathers. There is a special gland called the ‘Preen Gland’ near the ducks tail. This tiny gland produces oil which the duck uses to coat its feathers.
The duck picks up the oil with its head and beak, and then smears it all over its body to make the outer feathers waterproof. Without this protective barrier, a ducks feathers would become water-logged and because they spend their whole lives around and in water, this water-proof barrier is extremely important. Beneath the water-proof coat are fluffy and soft feathers which keep the duck warm.
The ducks mouth is called a beak or bill. It is usually broad and flat and has rows of fine notches along the edge called ‘lamellae’. The lamellae helps the duck to grip its food so that it will not slip off.
However, ducks beak comes in different shapes and sizes. The shape of the beak and body determines how the duck will hunt for its food.
Duck Behaviour
Ducks keep clean by preening themselves. Ducks do this by putting their heads in funny positions and putting their beaks into their body. Ducks preen themselves very often. Preening also removes parasites, removes scales which cover newly sprouting feathers and also involves the removal of spreading oil over clean feathers.
Duck Habitats
Many species of duck are temporarily flightless while moulting. Ducks seek out protected habitats with a good food supply during this period. They usually moult before migrating.
Ducks are found in wetlands, marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes and oceans. This is because ducks love the water. Some species of ducks migrate or travel longs distances every year to breed. Ducks usually travel to warmer areas or where the water does not freeze so that they can rest and raise their young. The distance may be thousands of miles away. Ducks are found everywhere in the world except the Antartica which is too cold for them.
Duck Life Span
Ducks can live from 2 – 20 years, depending on species and whether they are wild ducks or ducks in captivity. Its a fact that a wild duck can live 20 years or more. Domestic ducks typically live 10 – 15 years in captivity. The world record is a Mallard Drake that lived to a ripe old age of 27 years.
Ducks and their feeding habits
Shovelers – these ducks have broad beaks and sift their food for insects, nails and seed from the mud.
Diving ducks and Sea ducks forage deep underwater. To be able to submerge more easily, the diving ducks are heavier than dabbling ducks and therefore have more difficulty taking off to fly. These ducks have long and narrow beaks. Their narrow beaks are also covered will saw-like edges which help them to grab fish.
Dabbling ducks feed on the surface of water or on land, or as deep as they can reach by up-ending without completely submerging. Their beaks are broad and short. Dabbling ducks have tiny rows of plates along the inside of the beak called ‘lamellae’ like a whales baleen.
These let them filter water out of the side of their beaks and keep food inside. Dabbling ducks eat plants, seeds, grasses and other small insects and animals that they find on or under the water. Usually they stick their tails in the air and stretch their heads into the water to reach their food.
Dabblers usually have shiny colored patches on their wings. The domestic ducks are dabblers too. They are descendants of the Mallards. Dabbling ducks take off from the water in quick jumps. Ducks with longer necks dive with their head down into the shallow water and pick up their food.
Duck Reproduction
Ducks usually look for a mate or partner in winter. Male ducks will attract the female ducks with their colorful plumage or feathers. The female ducks will then lead the male ducks to their breeding ground in spring. The breeding ground will usually be the place where the female duck was hatched. The female duck builds her nest with grass or reeds or even in a hole in a tree.
The male duck will guard their territory by chasing away other couples. Once the female lays 5 – 12 eggs, she will sit on her eggs to keep them warm so that they can hatch into ducklings. The male ducks on the other hand, will be with the other male ducks.
The eggs will hatch within 28 days normally, except for the Muscovy duck which takes about 35 days to hatch.The mother duck will keep her brood of ducklings together to protect them from predators. Animals like the raccoon, turtles, hawks, large fish and snakes are a ducks main predators and they will eat the ducklings. Ducklings are able to fly within 5 – 8 weeks. Their feathers develop very fast.
When the young are ready to fly, all the ducks will gather in flocks on large lakes, marshes or the ocean to migrate to their wintering home. When the ducks fly, they usually do so in a ‘V-shaped’ or a long line.
Domestic Duck Breeds vs Wild Duck Species
Domestic ducks are those that have been bred for specific traits such as size, color, temperament, and egg-laying ability. They are typically larger than their wild counterparts and have been bred to be more docile, making them suitable for livestock farming for meat or eggs, or as pets.
Domestic ducks originated from wild ducks, more specifically from 2 particular breeds – the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata). Most, if not all domestic duck ‘breeds’ originate from these two ‘species’. Over time, humans selectively bred these ducks for specific traits, leading to the wide variety of domestic duck breeds we have today.
There are many different species of wild ducks, on the other hand. They live in natural environments around the globe, not selectively bred by humans. They are typically smaller, faster, and more agile than domestic ducks, and they retain their natural instincts for survival in the wild.
Interesting Duck Facts
- A hen makes a loud QUACK sound while the drake has a raspy, muffled call.
- Touching a duckling does not prevent the mother duck from taking care of it. It is however best to leave ducklings alone so as not to scare the mother duck away or accidentally injure them.
- Ducks sleep with half their brains awake. Ducks are more likely to sleep with one eye open when they are located on the edge of sleeping groups. Ducks can detect predators in less than a second.
- Duck eggshells have tiny holes (pores) that allow it to breathe. A hen’s eggs can have 7500 pores, most found at the blunt end of the egg. Respiratory gasses as well as water vapour travel through these pores allowing the egg to breathe.
- Baby ducks are precocial meaning they are born with their eyes wide open, with a warm layer of down and are not fully dependant on their parents for food. Ducklings are ready to leave the nest within hours of hatching.
- A ‘clutch’ is the total number of eggs laid by one bird during one nesting session. Clutch size affected by hereditary and environmental factors. When food is abundant, birds lay more eggs.
- A brood is the total number of hatchlings, or ducklings in a clutch.
- Ducks have very good vision and they see in color.
Learn how to keep ducks at home
What is a female duck called?
A female duck is called a ‘hen’, they are identified by their very-dull, brown feathers. The females have dull-brown feathers so that they can hide from enemies and predators. They can also camouflage themselves in their nests and also protect their young.
What are baby ducks called?
A baby duck is called a duckling. A group of ducklings is called a brood.
Where do ducks sleep?
Most species of Duck sleep floating on water. Some ducks such as mallards can roost on lands or water.
Popular Domestic Duck Breeds (Anas platyrhynchos domestica)
- Pekin Duck
- Rouen Duck
- Crested Duck
- Aylesbury Duck
- Khaki Campbell Duck
- Saxony Duck
- Buff Orpington Duck
- Welsh Harlequin Duck
- Magpie Duck
Wild Duck Species List
Species Name | Scientific/ Binominal Name | IUCN Status |
African Black Duck | Anas sparsa | Least Concern |
African Pygmy Goose | Nettapus auritus | Least Concern |
American Black Duck | Anas rubripes | Least Concern (population decreasing) |
American White Winged Scoter | Melanitta deglandi | Least Concern |
American Wigeon/Baldpate | Mareca americana | Least Concern |
Andean Teal | Anas andium | Least Concern |
Auckland Teal | Anas aucklandica | Near Threatened |
Australasian Shoveler | Spatula rhynchotis | Least Concern |
Australian Shelduck | Tadorna tadornoides | Least Concern |
Australian Wood Duck | Chenonetta jubata | Least Concern |
Baer’s Pochard | Aythya baeri | Critically Endangered |
Baikal Teal | Anas formosa | Least Concern |
Barrow’s Goldeneye | Bucephala islandica | Least Concern |
Black Scoter | Melanitta americana | Near Threatened |
Black-Bellied Whistling-duck | Dendrocygna autumnalis | Least Concern |
Black-Headed Duck | Heteronetta atricapilla | Least Concern |
Blue Duck | Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos | Endangered |
Blue-Billed Duck | Oxyura australis | Least Concern (local listings of vulnerable in NSW and threatened in Victoria) |
Blue-Winged Goose | Cyanochen cyanoptera | Near Threatened |
Blue-Winged Teal | Anas discors | Least Concern |
Brazilian Merganser | Mergus octosetaceus | Critically Endangered |
Brazilian Teal | Amazonetta brasiliensis | Least Concern |
Bronze Winged Duck/ Spectacled Duck | Speculanas specularis | Near Threatened |
Brown Teal | Anas chlorotis | Near Threatened |
Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | Least Concern |
Campbell Islands Teal | Anas nesiotis | Vulnerable |
Canvasback | Aythya valisineria | Least Concern |
Cape Shoveler | Anas smithii | Least Concern |
Cape Teal | Anas capensis | Least Concern |
Chestnut Teal | Anas castanea | Least Concern |
Chiloe Wigeon | Anas sibilatrix | Least Concern |
Cinnamon Teal | Anas cyanoptera | Least Concern |
Comb Duck | Sarkidiornis melanotos | Least Concern |
Common Eider | Somateria mollissima | Least Concern |
Common Goldeneye | Bucephala clangula | Least Concern |
Common Merganser | Mergus merganser | Least Concern |
Common Pochard | Aythya ferina | Least Concern |
Common Scoter | Melanitta nigra | Least Concern |
Common Shelduck | Tadorna tadorna | Least Concern |
Common Teal | Anas crecca | Least Concern |
Cotton Pygmy-Goose | Nettapus coromandelianus | Least Concern |
Crested Duck | Lophonetta specularioides | Least Concern |
Crested Shelduck | Tadorna cristata | Critically Endangered |
Eastern Spot-Billed Duck | Anas zonorhyncha | Least Concern |
Eaton’s Pintail | Anas eatoni | Vulnerable |
Egyptian Goose | Alopochen aegyptiaca | Least Concern |
Eurasian Wigeon | Anas penelope | Least Concern |
Falcated Duck | Mareca falcata | Near Threatened |
Falkland Steamerduck | Tachyeres brachypterus | Least Concern |
Ferruginous Duck | Aythya nyroca | Near Threatened |
Flightless Steamerduck | Tachyeres pteneres | Least Concern |
Flying Steamerduck | Tachyeres patachonicus | Least Concern |
Freckled Duck | Stictonetta naevosa | Least Concern |
Fulvous Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna bicolor | Least Concern |
Gadwall | Anas strepera | Least Concern |
Galapagos White Cheeked Pintail/ Bahama Pintail | Anas bahamensis | Least Concern |
Garganey | Anas querquedula | Least Concern |
Common Name | Scientific Name | Least Concern |
Greater Scaup | Aythya marila | Least Concern |
Green Pygmy-Goose | Nettapus pulchellus | Least Concern |
Grey Teal | Anas gracilis | Least Concern |
Hardhead | Aythya australis | Least Concern |
Harlequin Duck | Histrionicus histrionicus | Least Concern |
Hartlaub’s Duck | Pteronetta hartlaubii | Least Concern |
Hawaiian Duck | Anas wyvilliana | Endangered |
Hooded Merganser | Lophodytes cucullatus | Least Concern |
Hottentot Teal | Anas hottentota | Least Concern |
Kelp Goose | Chloephaga hybrida | Least Concern |
King Eider | Somateria spectabilis | Least Concern |
Lake Duck | Oxyura vittata | Least Concern |
Laysan Duck | Anas laysanensis | Critically Endangered |
Lesser Scaup | Aythya affinis | Least Concern |
Lesser Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna javanica | Least Concern |
Long-Tailed Duck/ Oldsquaw | Clangula hyemalis | Vulnerable |
Maccoa Duck | Oxyura maccoa | Endangered |
Madagascan Pochard | Aythya innotata | Critically Endangered |
Madagascar Teal/ Bernier’s Teal | Anas bernieri | Endangered |
Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | Least Concern |
Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata | Least Concern |
Marbled Teal | Marmaronetta angustirostris | Near Threatened |
Masked Duck | Nomonyx dominicus | Least Concern |
Meller’s Duck | Anas melleri | Endangered |
Mottled Duck | Anas fulvigula | Least Concern |
Muscovy Duck | Cairina moschata | Least Concern |
Musk Duck | Biziura lobata | Least Concern |
New Zealand Scaup | Aythya novaeseelandiae | Least Concern |
Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | Least Concern |
Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata | Least Concern |
Orinoco Goose | Neochen jubata | Near Threatened |
Pacific Black Duck | Anas superciliosa | Vulnerable |
Paradise Shelduck | Tadorna variegata | Least Concern |
Philippine Duck | Anas luzonica | Least Concern |
Pink-Eared Duck | Malacorhynchus membranaceus | Least Concern |
Pink-Headed Duck | Rhodonessa caryophyllacea | Critically Endangered |
Plumed Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna eytoni | Least Concern |
Puna Teal | Anas puna | Least Concern |
Radjah Shelduck | Tadorna radjah | Least Concern |
Red Shoveler | Anas platalea | Least Concern |
Red-Billed Duck | Anas erythrorhyncha | Least Concern |
Red-Breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | Least Concern |
Red-Crested Pochard | Netta rufina | Least Concern |
Redhead | Aythya americana | Least Concern |
Ring-Necked Duck | Aythya collaris | Least Concern |
Ringed Teal | Callonetta leucophrys | Least Concern |
Rosy-Billed Pochard | Netta peposaca | Least Concern |
Ruddy Duck | Oxyura jamaicensis | Least Concern |
Ruddy Shelduck | Tadorna ferruginea | Least Concern |
Salvadori’s Teal/ Salvadori’s Duck | Salvadorina waigiuensis | Least Concern (population decreasing) |
Scaly-Sided Merganser/ Chinese Merganser | Mergus squamatus | Endangered |
Silver Teal | Anas versicolor | Least Concern |
Smew | Mergellus albellus | Least Concern |
South African Shelduck | Tadorna cana | Least Concern |
Southern Pochard | Netta erythrophthalma | Least Concern |
Common Name | Scientific Name | Least Concern |
Spectacled Eider | Somateria fischeri | Least Concern |
Spotted Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna guttata | Least Concern |
Steller’s Eider | Polysticta stelleri | Vulnerable |
Sunda Teal | Anas gibberifrons | Least Concern |
Surf Scoter | Melanitta perspicillata | Least Concern |
Torrent Duck | Merganetta armata | Least Concern |
Tufted Duck | Aythya fuligula | Least Concern |
Velvet Scoter | Melanitta fusca | Vulnerable |
Wandering Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna arcuata | Least Concern |
West Indian Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna arborea | Near Threatened |
Western Spot-Billed Duck | Anas poecilorhyncha | Least Concern |
White-Backed Duck | Thalassornis leuconotus | Least Concern |
White-Faced Whistling-duck | Dendrocygna viduata | Least Concern |
White-Headed Duck | Oxyura leucocephala | Endangered |
White-Headed Flightless Steamerduck/ Chubut Steamer Duck | Tachyeres leucocephalus | Vulnerable |
White-Winged Wood Duck | Cairina scutulata | Endangered |
White Winged Scoter | Melanitta deglandi | Least Concern |
Wood Duck | Aix sponsa | Least Concern |
Yellow-Billed Duck | Anas undulata | Least Concern |
Yellow-Billed Pintail | Anas georgica | Least Concern |
Yellow-Billed Teal | Anas flavirostris | Least Concern |
More Fascinating Animals to Learn About
Water Beetle
Eurasian Water Shrew
British Water Vole
Galapagos White Cheeked Pintail Duck
Corncrake
Atlas Beetle
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Ducks: An Overview
Ducks are birds that belong to the Anatidae family, which also includes geese and swans. They are commonly referred to as "waterfowl" because they are typically found in areas with water, such as ponds, streams, and rivers. Ducks share similarities with other water birds, such as loons, grebes, and coots, but they are not closely related to them.
Duck Characteristics
Ducks are smaller than their relatives, swans and geese, and they have shorter necks and wings. Female ducks, known as hens, have dull brown feathers that help them hide from enemies and predators. This coloration also allows them to camouflage themselves in their nests and protect their young. Male ducks, called drakes, have brightly colored feathers, which they use to attract female ducks for mating. However, during the period when the females are busy hatching eggs, the males lose their colorful feathers and resemble females in color. They regain their colorful plumage and the ability to fly in early autumn.
Adaptations for Swimming and Survival
Ducks have webbed feet, which are specially designed for swimming. The webbing acts like paddles, allowing ducks to navigate through water with ease. Additionally, ducks have a unique circulatory system in their legs and feet that helps them tolerate cold water. The warm blood going from the body into the feet warms the cooler blood re-entering the body, while the blood going to the feet is cooled enough that the cold does not bother the duck. This adaptation enables ducks to swim in cold water without discomfort.
Ducks also have water-proof feathers. They possess a gland called the "preen gland" near their tail, which produces oil. Ducks spread this oil over their feathers using their beak, making their outer feathers waterproof. This protective barrier prevents their feathers from becoming waterlogged, as ducks spend a significant amount of time in and around water. Underneath the water-proof coat, ducks have fluffy and soft feathers that provide insulation and keep them warm.
Feeding Habits
Different species of ducks have varying feeding habits. Some ducks, like shovelers, have broad beaks and sift their food for insects, nails, and seeds from the mud. Diving ducks and sea ducks forage deep underwater and have long, narrow beaks with saw-like edges that help them catch fish. Dabbling ducks, on the other hand, feed on the surface of water or on land, or they up-end without completely submerging to reach food deeper in the water. They have broad, short beaks with tiny rows of plates called "lamellae" inside. These lamellae allow them to filter water out of the side of their beaks while keeping food inside. Dabbling ducks primarily eat plants, seeds, grasses, and small insects and animals found in or under the water.
Duck Reproduction and Behavior
Ducks typically look for a mate during winter. Male ducks attract female ducks with their colorful plumage, and the females lead them to the breeding ground in spring. The female duck builds a nest using grass, reeds, or even a hole in a tree. Once the female lays 5-12 eggs, she incubates them to keep them warm until they hatch. The male ducks, meanwhile, stay with other males. The eggs usually hatch within 28 days, although the Muscovy duck takes about 35 days. The mother duck keeps her brood of ducklings together to protect them from predators. Ducklings are able to fly within 5-8 weeks, and their feathers develop rapidly. When the young ducks are ready to fly, they gather in flocks and migrate to their wintering home.
Domestic Ducks vs. Wild Duck Species
Domestic ducks are breeds that have been selectively bred by humans for specific traits such as size, color, temperament, and egg-laying ability. They are typically larger and more docile than their wild counterparts, making them suitable for livestock farming, pets, or egg production. Domestic ducks originated from two wild duck species: the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata). Over time, humans selectively bred these ducks, resulting in the wide variety of domestic duck breeds we have today.
Wild ducks, on the other hand, live in natural environments around the world and have not been selectively bred by humans. They are typically smaller, faster, and more agile than domestic ducks, and they retain their natural instincts for survival in the wild.
Interesting Duck Facts
- Ducks have a variety of vocalizations, with females making a loud "quack" sound and males having a raspy, muffled call.
- Ducks sleep with half their brains awake, allowing them to detect predators quickly.
- Duck eggshells have tiny pores that allow them to breathe.
- Baby ducks, known as ducklings, are precocial, meaning they are born with their eyes open, a warm layer of down, and are not fully dependent on their parents for food.
- Ducks have excellent vision and see in color.
I hope this information provides you with a comprehensive understanding of ducks and their characteristics. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!