Dabbling ducks skim the water's surface to gather food. At other times, they tip their head and neck forward, submerging them to sample food just below the surface. A few dabblers are able to dive to snatch a morsel of food or escape a predator. As a rule, dabblers are not able to fly as fast as diving ducks, but are able to land with precision.
Most dabblers are able to take to flight vertically.
Although they can also skim the surface water for food, diving ducks are noted for their ability to propel themselves underwater in their search for food. The size of a duck's feet, where they are situated on the body and the size of the wing in proportion to the body help to determine whether a duck is a diver or a dabbler. Small feet 2. Large feet 3. Feet situated near front of body 4.