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segunda-feira, 30 de agosto de 2010

Species / Types of Ducks

1. Dabbling Duck

Dabbling DucksJackie
“Dabblers” are ducks that tip up in order to feed, scrounging through shallow water and mud in search of plants and insects, and these ducks will also feed readily on land. The most common dabbling duck species is the mallard, but the northern pintail, American wigeon and different teals are also dabblers.

 2. Diving Duck

RedheadAlan Vernon
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 on land. Diving duck species include the scaups, goldeneyes, canvasback, rosybill and redhead.

 

3. Eider

Common Eiderputneymark
These types of sea-ducks are found in very northern, Arctic habitats, and they’re well known for their lush down and its spectacular insulating properties that protect them from the harsh cold. Eider species include the common, spectacled, Steller’s and king eider.

4. Goldeneye

Barrow's GoldeneyeIngrid Taylar
Aptly named for their brilliant yellow eyes, goldeneye duck species are diving ducks characterized by their big, round heads. They nest in tree holes and have sharp black and white plumage. Goldeneye species include the common and Barrow’s goldeneyes, though buffleheads are sometimes categorized as goldeneyes as well.

 

5. Merganser

Hooded MerganserPeter Massas
The most prominent features of these slim ducks are their narrow, serrated, hooked bills. These are the only ducks that regularly eat a large amount of fish, and their bills are specialized to make them keen hunters. Species include the hooded, common, and red-breasted merganser.

 

6. Perching Duck

Wood DuckR Potter
Perching ducks have claws on their webbed feet and can regularly be found perching in trees along wooded waterways and other areas with appropriate trees for nesting. The Muscovy, pink-eared, wood and mandarin ducks are example of perching ducks.

 

7. Scoter

Surf ScoterMike Baird
Scoters are bulky sea-ducks with dark plumage and swollen, brightly colored bills. These birds can be found in northern regions and along marine habitats, and species include the black, surf and velvet scoters.

 

8. Sea-Duck

Long-Tailed DuckMartien Brand
Sea-ducks are so named because they are primarily marine birds found in coastal habitats, though they can range further inland during the nesting season and migration. These are bulky birds that have special glands to help them tolerate salt water. Sea-duck species include the eiders, scoters, goldeneyes and mergansers.

 

9. Stifftail

Ruddy DuckKeven Law
The stifftails are aptly named diving ducks with spiky stiff tails which they use as rudders while swimming. The tail may also be held angled or vertically as a breeding or territorial display. Stifftails include the ruddy duck, masked duck and blue-billed duck.

 

10. Teal

Cinnamon TealMike Baird
Teals are different types of dabbling ducks that often have brightly colored, distinctive plumage, including fantastic speculum coloration. These ducks prefer to feed along the surface of the water as opposed to tipping up. Teal species include the cinnamon, green-winged and silver teal.

 

11. Whistling-Duck

Black-Bellied Whistling-DuckJean
These tropical ducks have long legs and necks, unlike typical compact duck proportions. These birds are named for their gregarious whistling calls, and species include the black-bellied, fulvous and white-faced whistling-ducks.

 

12. Domestic Duck

Domestic DuckMr. Lunastorta
Not a wild species, domestic ducks are instead escapees from farms, gardens and zoos. These ducks frequently congregate in mixed flocks on urban and suburban ponds, and their indistinct plumage and mottled colors shows a high degree of hybridization with other domestic and wild birds.

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