The shape, color patterns and use of the tail are helpful in identifying waterfowl. The legs of different waterfowl vary not only in color, but also in length and thickness - all important clues to the way they live. Although all waterfowl have webbed feet for efficient swimming, they also use their feet as brakes when landing. Most waterfowl have wings that can be used for true flight, not just for gliding. Both ducks and geese beat their wings constantly during flight.
Many ducks have a brightly colored patch on each wing.
Others have markers on their wings which are only displayed as part of courtship. The wings of waterfowl can be either long or short, pointed or rounded. The leading edge of the wing is called the shoulder. Behind the forward half of the wing are two sets of flight feathers - the primaries and secondaries. When observing waterfowl, notice that the tops and the bottoms of the wings are different colors - a good camouflage trick.