Waterfowl
Ducks
Ducks are familiar waterbirds found on lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, coastal waters, and other aquatic habitats throughout North America. They include dabbling ducks, diving ducks, sea ducks, and other specialized groups, each adapted to different foods and habitats. Plumage, size, behavior, and habitat can all provide useful clues for identifying the ducks you see.
Dabbling Ducks
Dabbling ducks are freshwater ducks that usually feed near the surface by tipping forward to reach aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and other food. Commonly found on ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, they typically take flight directly from the water rather than running along the surface.
Diving Ducks
Diving ducks are waterbirds that plunge beneath the surface to feed on aquatic plants, insects, mollusks, fish, and other underwater foods. Often found on deeper lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, they typically sit lower in the water and may run across the surface to become airborne.
Whistling Ducks
Whistling ducks are long-legged, long-necked waterfowl named for their distinctive whistling calls. Often found around marshes, ponds, flooded fields, and other wetlands, they frequently perch in trees and are more likely than many ducks to be seen walking on land.
Sea Ducks
Sea ducks are hardy diving ducks adapted to life along coastlines, bays, estuaries, and other large bodies of water. Powerful swimmers and divers, they feed on fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and other aquatic foods, with many species spending the winter in large offshore flocks.