Birds of The World: DIPPING DUCKS Geese Dabbling Ducks belong to genus Anas as is also true for teals. Teals have been given their own web page as an arbitrary way to split the presentation of this large genus. Dabbling ducks do not totally submerge when feeding and are often seen with just their rears showing as the search for food. Because of their feeding method, Dabbling Ducks have evolved to be more buoyant than diving ducks. Most birders identify this type of duck as a "Dabbling Duck", but I personlly think "Dipping Duck" is more descriptive. Genus Amazonetta - 1 species Teal, Brazilian Amazonetta brasiliensis Found: eastern South America One of the Brazilian Teal's closest relative is the Bronze-winged Duck . It is light brown upperpart. Male has red bill, female has black bill.

Image by: 1, 3) Claudio Timm 2) Cristiano Crolle - Esteros del Iberà, Argentina 4) Dario Sanches - Brazil 5) Cristiano Crolle - River Tigre Delta, Argentina 1, 2) Female 3, 4) Male Genus Anas This genus contains the dabbling ducks, so called because the dip their heads for food. They generally do not dive for food. Included are the mallard like, wigeons, teals, pintails and shovelers. Image by: 1, 3) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 2) Joseph Mochoge - Gilgil, Kenya 4) Dick - World of Birds , South Africa 5) Ian White - Botswana 6) Peter Steward - Kenya Duck, American Black Anas rubripes Found: east North America, Bahamas The American Black Deck has a dark brown body, dark eyes, orange legs. The female has a dull green bill, the male has a yellow bill. Similar to: Mallard , Mottled Duck . Body variation from light to dark: Mallard, Mottled Duck, American Black Duck.

Mottled Duck and Mallard have brighter bills than American Black Duck. Mottled Duck distinguished by black mark at its gape (where bill joins face). Image by: 1) Jimmy Smith - Mississippi 2, 3 , 5, 6, 8, 9) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 4) Dick - Acadia National Park, Maine 7) Dick on the Cape May, New Jersey ferry 1, 2, 3, 4) Female 5 - 9) Male Duck, Falcated Anas falcata Found: Europe, Asia The breeding male Falcated Duck has a gray body, dark green head, bronze crown, white throat. The female has a mottled brown body, long gray bill. The nonbreeding male is similar to the female but darker on the back and head. 1) Female on top, bottom nonbreeding male 2, 3) Female 4. 5. 6) Breedin male Duck, Laysan also Laysan Teal Anas laysanensis Found: Laysan island of Hawaii The Laysan Duck has mainly dark brown plumage; prominent white eye-ring; orange legs, feet.

Male has dark green bill with black blotching. Female has orange bill with black blotching. Image by: 1) Caleb Slemmons 2) Heather Paul - San Diego Zoo 3) Eike Wulfmeyer 4) Kanalu Chock 1) Female 2, 3) Male Duck, Meller's Anas melleri Found: Eastern Madagascar The Meller's Duck looks similar to a Mallard and its other relatives, but the Meller's Duck does not have a superciliu. Image by: 1, 2) Lt Shears - Louisville Zoo 3) Sarefo Duck, Mottled Anas fulvigula Found: southeast North America The Mottled Duck has a dark mottled body, lighter head and neck, orange legs and dark eyes. Both sexes have a shiny green-blue speculum (wing patch), which is not bordered with white. Black mark at gape (where bill joins face). The male's bill is bright yellow; the female's is deep to pale orange. Similar to: American Black Duck , Mallard . Body variation from light to dark: Mallard, Mottled Duck, American Black Duck.

Mottled Duck and Mallard have brighter bills than American Black Duck. Mottled Duck distinguished by black mark at its gape (where bill joins face). 1) Ducklings 2, 3) Pair (male on left) 4) Female 5 - 8) Male Duck, Pacific Black also Grey Duck Anas superciliosa Found: Australia, New Zealand The Pacific Black Duck has a dark body, a paler head with a dark crown and facial stripes. In flight, it shows a green speculum and pale underwing. All plumages are similar. Image by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 3) Dick - New Zeland 4, 5, 6) Dick - Australia 7) Oystercatcher Duck, Philippine Anas luzonica Found: Southeast Asia The Philippine Duck has a black crown, nape and eye stripe; cinnamon head and neck, grayish brown legs; blue gray bill.. Rest of body is grayish brown with a bright green speculum.

Image by: 1, 4, 5) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 2,3) Dick - Plettenberg Bay, South Africa 6) Dick - Jacksonville Zoo , Florida Gadwall Anas strepera Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa The breeding male Gadwall has gray upperparts and lowerparts, light chestnut wings, and a white speculum. The female has a mottled brown body, dark orange-edged bill, white speculum, light belly. The nonbreeding male resembles the female but is grayer above and has less orange on the bill. Similar to: female Mallard . Female Gadwall has a squarer head than female Mallard. Mallard has more pronounced eye-line. 1, 2) Pair 3 - 6) Female 7 - 11) Male Garganey Anas querquedula Found: North America (infrequent), Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia The male Garganey has brown head and breast, reddish-brown face, broad white crescent over the eye, gray bill and legs. The rest of the plumage is gray.

Female Garganey has light area below and in front of its dark eye-line and a light area behind and above the eye-line. Similar to: female Blue-winged Teal . Female Blue-winged Teal has white eye-ring; female Garganey does not. Blue-winged Teal has yellow legs, Garganey does not. Similar to: female Common Teal , female Green-winged Teal . Female Garganey has light area below and in front of its dark eye-line and a light area behind and above the eye-line. The corresonding areas of the female teal is much darker. 1 - 5) Female 7 - 10) Male Koloa also Hawaiian Duck Anas wyvilliana Endemic to Hawaii Similar to: Mallard . Both male and female Koloa resemble a female Mallard. The male Koloa has a darker head and neck than the female Koloa. Often interbreeds with mallards, difficult to tell visually if a pure koloa.

1) Female, Male 2) Male 3, 4) Female Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Found: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia The breeding male Mallard has a glossy green head; white collar; purple-tinged brown breast; gray belly; yellowish-orange bill tipped with black. Female and nonbreeding male are predominantly mottled with individual feathers varying from buff to dark brown, a coloration shared by most female dabbling ducks. Female and nonbreeding males have dark eye-line and lighter supercilium. Similar to: American Black Duck , Mottled Duck . Body variation from light to dark: Mallard, Mottled Duck, American Black Duck. Mottled Duck and Mallard have brighter bills than American Black Duck. Mottled Duck distinguished by black mark at its gape (where bill joins face). Similar to: female Gadwall . Female Gadwall has a squarer head than female Mallard. Mallard had more pronounced eye-line. Similar to: Hawaiian Duck . Both male and female Hawaiian (Koloa) resemble a female Mallard. The male Koloa has a darker head and neck than the female Koloa.

Image by: 1) John Gerrard Keulemans 2) Hanuise Pintail, Northern Anas acuta Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa Both sexes have a long neck. Male has long tail, especially when breeding. Female has plain brown head. 1, 2) Pair 3, 4, 5) Female 6 - 8) Male Pintail, White-cheeked Anas bahamensis Found: Infrequently in Florida, Galapagos Islands, South America The White-cheeked Pintail is mainly brown, has a white throat and cheeks, gray bill with white cheeks. No similar birds in its range. Image by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Mary Point Pond, St.

John, Virgin Islands 3, 5, 7, 8) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 4) Dick - Washington National Zoo 6) Dick - the Galapagos Islands 9) Dick - the Galapagos Islands 10) Sandy Cole - Sylvan Heights 7, 8, 9) White morph Pintail, Yellow-billed Anas georgica Found: South America The Yellow-billed Pintail has brown head and neck, yellow bill with black tip and black stripe, brown tail, brownish tail, grayish brown upper wing, blackish-green secondaries.The rest of the body is buffish brown with varying size black spots. Similar to : Yellow-billed Teal . Yellow-billed Pintail has spotted flanks, Yellow-billed teal does not. Yellow-billed teal has larger spots on chest than Yellow-billed Pintail. 1) Female 2, 3) Male Shoveler, Northern Anas clypeata Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Australia (rare) All shovelers have long bills.

The breeding male Northern Shoveler has greenish black head, white breast, chestnut belly and flanks, black bill, yellow eyes. The female is mottled brown, orange bill tinged with gray, brown eyes. Nonbreeding male resembles female but is darker. 1, 2) Pair 3, 4) Female 45 - 9) Male Shoveler, Red Anas platalea Found: South America The Red Shoveler has mainly cinnamon colored plumage with dark spot; light gray head, black bill. Similar to: Cinnamon Teal . Male Cinnamon Teal has darker head than male Red Shoveler. Image by: 1, 2, 5) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 3) Dick - San Diego Zoo 4) Cláudio Timm - Argentine Lake, Argentina Wigeon, American also Baldpate Anas americana Found: North America, southwest South America The American Wigeon has white belly, gray legs. The breeding male has a green crescent from its eyes to nape, off white crown that extends to its bill, pinkish brown back and breast, small black tipped light bill.

The nonbreeding male has vestigial green and white on its head. The female has grayish brown back, gray head, chestnut breast, small black tipped gray bill. Similar to: Eurasian Wigeon . The male American Wigeon and Eurasian Wigeon are distinctive. The female American Wigeon has white underwing, the female Eurasian Wigeon has gray underwing. 1, 2, 3) Pair 4) Adult female and juvenile 5) Juvenile 6) Female 7 - 11) Male Wigeon, Chilöe Anas sibilatrix Found: South America The Chiloe Wigeon has gray back with white patterns, dark green head, white cheeks and forehead, gray black tipped bill, black and white barred breast, orange brown sides. 1) Female top, male bottom 2, 3, 4) Probably female 5, 6) Probably male Wigeon, Eurasian Anas penelope Rare: North America. Found: Europe, Asia, Africa The Eurasian Wigeon has white belly, gray legs, small black tipped light bill.

The breeding male has gray back and flanks, chestnut head, off white crown that extends to its bill, pink breast. The female is brown. The nonbreeding male resembles the female. Similar to: American Wigeon . The male American Wigeon and Eurasian Wigeon are distinctive. The female American Wigeon has white underwing, the female Eurasian Wigeon has gray underwing. 1, 2, 3) Female 4 - 7) Male Genus Chenonetta - 1 species Duck, Australian Wood also Maned Duck Chenonetta jubata Found: Australia. The Australian Wood Duck is gray with a dark brown head and mottled breast. The female has white stripes above and below the eye and also mottled flanks. Similar to: Spotted Whistling-Duck . Both species have spots on the breast, but heads are very different. 1 - 5) Female 6 - 9) Male Genus Lophonetta - 1 species Duck, Crested Lophonetta specularoides Found: South America The Crested Duck has dark brown upperparts with some light mottling, light mottled brown underparts, dark crown with darker mask.

Similar to: Marbled Duck . Their ranges do not overlap. Image by: 1, 2) Claudio Timm - Argentine Lake, Argentina 3, 4) Charlie Westerinen - Ushuaia Argentina. Genus Pteronetta - 1 species Duck, Hartlaub's Pteronetta hartlaubii Found: African forests The Harlaub's Duck has chestnut plumage with black head and upper neck, white above base of the bill. Genus Sarkidiornis - 1 species Duck, Knob-billed also Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Found: Asia, Africa, South America The Knob-billed Duck has white head speckled with dark spots, white underparts, glossy blue-black upperparts. The male has a black knob on the bill. In South America ( S. m. sylvicola) the male has dark flanks, the female has medium colored flanks. In the Old Workd (S. m. melanotos) the flanks are light colored. DNA analysis of the Knob-billed duck species suggests that it is a basal member of the Anatidae family.

That is, the Knob-billed Duck does not have any close relatives. 1 - 6) Sarkidiornis m. sylvicola 1, 2) Male 3 - 6) Female 7 - 10) Sarkidiornis m. melanotos 7, 8) Male 9, 10) Female Genus Speculanas - 1 species Wintering Ducks Species Wintering Ducks Species Types of Duck in Mississippi Last updated : 03/24/2016 The species of waterfowl wintering in the Mississippi Delta, which are of interest to hunters, fall into three main categories: dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and geese. When the weather patterns become unusually cold and vast expanses of the flood waters freeze, it is not unusual to find a large array of duck species congregating in areas of flowing water which have not frozen. Habitat Complex areas also attract a variety of ducks. The mixture found in these areas is a dream for those looking for a variety of duck mounts – filling the taxidermist shops with excited hunters eager to share the hunting stories.

Mallards and gadwall populate the timber sloughs during the late season while local wood ducks can be found here from opening day. Ponds, harvested grain fields, wetland areas and lakes are inhabited by mallards, gadwall, northern shovelers and teal with pintails joining them in the seasonally flooded agricultural areas. Blue-winged teal and northern shovelers are among the most abundant, widespread, and frequently harvested of North America's ducks. Many green-winged teal are found in Mississippi waters as well. In 2011, populations of all species of dabbling ducks wintering in the Mississippi Delta reached record highs. With 8.9 million blue-winged teal and 4.6 million northern shovelers tallied in the traditional survey area, teal are among the first ducks to migrate south in the late summer and the last to return north in the spring. Blue-winged teal cover up mud flats during early teal season into late November but are a challenge to scout. Here today-gone tomorrow. From December through January the blue-winged teal are rare but are replaced by a large number of green-winged teal. Northern shovelers are also among the first ducks to migrate in the fall, usually just behind their cousins.

December game-haulers traditionally boast large numbers of teal, northern shovelers, and gadwall. The best time for mallards is in the month of January. Dabbling Ducks The group of waterfowl known as the dabbling ducks includes six (6) species that commonly winter in the Mississippi Delta: gadwall, green-winged teal, mallards, pintails, shovelers, and wood ducks. Dabbling ducks up-end to feed mainly at the surface rather than by diving. The sources of food range from aquatic vegetation to aquatic invertebrates, insects and crustaceans, to grass seeds, hardwood tree nuts and field grain. As with all species, the dabbling ducks hang out where the food is found. They will only fly into an area that holds enough food to justify the energy expended in the flight over. Gadwall Gadwall are some of the most abundant and hardy of the dabbling ducks. According to Ducks Unlimited, their population held steady through the 1970s and early 1980s when the populations of other duck species generally declined. The current population is at a record level.

Because they prefer to feed on aquatic vegetation, gadwall are found most commonly in oxbow lakes, brakes and Mississippi sloughs of the Delta. This food preference makes management of the wintering gadwall population a little more problematic. One Delta hunting club drained a slough in the summer and raised a crop of millet before closing the water control structures to capture the fall-winter rains. The level of pondweeds and algae in the water was reduced which in turn reduced the number of wintering gadwall. Instead of having the desired effect of increasing duck numbers, this management practice actually reduced the overall numbers. The duck hunting club now lowers the water level so that the surrounding green-tree area is dry but allows the low-lying area in the heart of the slough to remain wet throughout the summer months. They also plant grain in surrounding agricultural fields which are then flooded in the fall-winter. By utilizing these management practices, the duck club attracts the grain and nut seeking dabbling ducks without reducing the gadwall numbers. Gadwall are a medium-sized duck without much bright color. Our neighbors from Louisiana commonly refer to them as grey ducks.

They do not respond well to duck calls and tend to fly into the feeding areas that they have chosen - without much regard to hunter influence. Because of the dull color, smaller size, and lack of workability, gadwall have tended to be less popular with duck hunting groups than mallards. However, as populations have continued to increase, many duck hunters have come to the realization that the plentiful gadwall are good to eat and fun to shoot. The percent of gadwall harvested by our hunters increased during the 2014 – 2015 and 2015 – 2016 seasons. They were harvested in the flooded fields as well as sloughs and timber. We like the trend. The best method of hunting gadwall in the timber is in a camouflaged boat or a permanent, tree blind nestled among the cypress and tupelo gum. Of course for those who prefer openness to the confines of a blind, waders and a good tree to lean on can provide an excellent opportunity to shoot a limit of gadwall, and, after all, a duck hunter returning to the cabin with a limit of gadwall has a satisfied look on his face. Maybe it gets better, but not much.

Green-winged Teal Green-winged teal found in flooded grain fields or a shallow-water slough are an added bonus to a good fall-winter Mississippi Delta Ducks morning. Also, a teal hunt during the early fall season can produce favorable results in a tupelo or cypress slough. Teal tend to appear very quickly in the duck hole and the opportunity for shooting passes in a flash. They fly in tight groups, swooping down and through the trees in the slough or dip rapidly over the flooded field. Green-winged teal are the smallest of our North American ducks but are good to eat and make colorful mounts to add to your collection. Habitat managed for gadwall or mallards will also be attractive to the wintering teal. They feed on seeds and grain as well as naturally occurring aquatic plants, insects and invertebrates. Mallards Mallards are by far the most popular duck for Mississippi Delta duck hunters. They are the most recognized species of duck and the most responsive to wildlife management. Historically, mallards preferred the protected confines and abundant food sources found in flooded green-tree areas.

As the acres of harvested rice fields and other flooded grain fields grew in number and the acres of mature hardwood declined in number, mallards adapted their feeding habits. Naturally, the duck hunters followed the wintering ducks from the woods to the fields. However, mallards still prefer to return to the confines of flooded timber to rest – protected from the cold winter winds found in open areas. The magnificence of mallards cupping and tumbling through the air into a decoy spread is unsurpassed by any other duck hunting experience. Any duck hunter who is a part of a mallard limit duck hunt will continue to brave the cold winter weather in search of that next great greenhead morning. In addition to responding favorably to managed areas, mallards react to decoy spreads as well as the sound of a duck call. Almost all the duck hunting strategies and management practices are designed with the mallard in mind. A seasoned mallard hunter can significantly increase the success of a duck hunt by putting his knowledge and experience into action. Mallards are hunted from sled and pit blinds in flooded grain fields and from camouflaged duck boats and tree house duck blinds in brakes and sloughs.

Share the experience of the ultimate buddy hunt by joining a group of friends in a duck blind on a cold Mississippi Delta morning. As the light of dawn breaks on the horizon, blow the duck call and watch as the mallards tumble majestically from the sky. It definitely doesn’t get any better! Northern Pintails Northern pintails are another bonus duck migrating in significant numbers through the Mississippi Delta. They feed extensively on waste grain and can be found among the mallards in flooded Delta agricultural fields. Pintails do not respond well to duck calls and are not a predictable source of duck for the Delta hunter. Their long central tail feathers give the pintail a unique look and hence, their name. Any avid duck hunter relishes the opportunity to add a pintail to his morning haul. Northern Shovelers Northern shovelers are another dabbling duck that frequents the Delta region via the Mississippi Flyway. They derive their name from the shovel-shaped bill which they use to sift seeds, grain and aquatic life from shallow Delta waters. The males have colorful plumage and make good mounts. Shovelers are mistaken by some hunters for diving ducks because of their tendency to gather in large groups or "rafts" on lakes and agricultural ponds.

However, they are definitely a member of the dabbling duck family and are fun to hunt and good to eat. The breast meat is prepared following the same recipes as for other dabblers. Northern shovelers work in the decoy spreads and are one of the most common species harvested in the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta region (yes they kill them in Stuttgart too). They are particularly an attractive target in December and early January before the arrival of the main mallard duck migration. In perusing the countless pictures of hunters and harvested ducks, you will notice a trend of greenheads stacked on top of shovelers (who are always ready to smile for the camera even when their eyes are closed). Expect some "smileys" in your bag and on your grill. Northern shovelers are closely related to teal. They have similar migration habits and are often found in the same wetland habitats. The social foraging habit of northern shovelers is also common to teal. Northern shovelers often feed by huddling in rafts with their heads down and swimming in a tight circle as they stir up the water with their feet. This form of social foraging, known as "whirling" concentrates the aquatic life on which they feed.

Wood Duck Wood duck is the final dabbling duck frequenting the Mississippi Delta in significant numbers. The wood duck is unique in that it calls the Delta’s rivers, bayous, oxbow lakes and cypress-tupelo brakes and sloughs home. They nest in cavities of trees, laying an average of 12 eggs. The mother pushes the newly hatched ducklings from the nest where they follow her on the ground and in the water in pursuit of food. It is not unusual to look across a Mississippi Delta yard and see wood ducklings scampering about. Because the wood duck breeding areas coincide with the areas of greatest hunting pressure, the population suffered a devastating decline. However, good management practices revived the wood duck population in the forestlands of the Delta. The wood duck is a delicacy as well as a beautiful mount. More than with any other duck, Mississippi duck hunting clubs can manage the wood duck populations and increase the success of the fall-winter waterfowl season. By placing a number of nesting boxes throughout the moist, lowland areas, wood duck numbers are greatly increased. The wood duck boxes are designed so that predation is significantly decreased.

Native wildlife that likes to feed on wood duck eggs include: skunks, raccoons, snakes and other rodents. During the fall-winter duck hunting season, wood ducks can be taken in flooded timber areas as well as flooded agricultural fields. More than 1 million wood ducks are taken by duck hunters each year – making them much more than a bonus duck. Diving Ducks Unlike dabbling ducks, diving ducks dive to greater depths and feed on small fish as well as other aquatic life and seeds. They are most often found in the Mississippi Delta on farm raised catfish ponds. Diving duck species tend to be very colorful and small to medium in body mass. These ducks are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning due to ingestion of spent shot while feeding and are the primary beneficiaries of the lead shot ban. With the decline of the catfish industry in the Mississippi Delta, many of the fish ponds have been restored to irrigated, row crop land or planted in timber under either the U.S. Government WRP or CRP programs. As a result, these abandoned or converted ponds have become prime duck hunting grounds. Practices have been put in place to attract dabbling ducks.

The four (4) species of diving ducks frequenting the Mississippi Delta region are: bluebills, canvasbacks, hooded mergansers, and redheads. Be informed about current limits when hunting diving ducks. Because the populations of some species are still depleted, the bag limits are restricted or hunting is banned entirely. Geese Migrating geese have begun wintering in the Mississippi Delta in record numbers. They pour into flooded and moist agricultural fields with a vengeance. Standing on the edge of a field, an observer can often see a funnel of geese landing in the field with the appearance of a tornado followed by arriving geese for as far on can be seen on the horizon. They are noisy, messy and still, for the most part, considered a nuisance to Delta waterfowlers. An exception is speckle-belly geese who will often break off from the hordes and work a duck decoy spread. Our hunters increase the number of specks harvested each year, and now specifically request holes that are known to produce specks. They are fun to hunt, good to eat and a welcome addition to the duck hunter's bag. Geese are grubbers and grazers, feeding in the Delta on waste grain and winter wheat crops.

Gazing across a goose-filled winter wheat field, it will be green in front of the geese and brown behind. They will literally consume all of the food in their path. After hunters have managed native grasses and agricultural grain through the summer in an effort to feed wintering ducks throughout the fall-winter season, it is frustrating for geese to arrive and consume all of the food in one to two days. Good waterfowl management practices now require restricting the geese access to certain areas so that ample food is left for wintering ducks. This demands daily, on-site diligence and has greatly increased the value of resident wildlife managers. The three (3) species of geese frequenting the Mississippi Delta region are: greater snow geese, specklebelly geese, and Canadian geese. Canadian geese often remain in the Delta to breed and nest. Greater snow geese are not good to eat while specklebelly geese can be prepared properly as a wild game meal. COMPANY Birds of South America: DABBLING DUCKS Geese Dabbling Ducks belong to genus Anas as is also true for teals.

Teals have been given their own web page as an arbitrary way to split the presentation of this large genus. Dabbling ducks do not totally submerge when feeding and are often seen with just their rears showing as the search for food. Because of their feeding method, Dabbling Ducks have evolved to be more buoyant than diving ducks. Most birders identify this type of duck as a "Dabbling Duck", but I personlly think "Dipping Duck" is more descriptive. Genus Amazonetta - 1 species Teal, Brazilian Amazonetta brasiliensis Found: eastern South America One of the Brazilian Teal's closest relative is the Bronze-winged Duck . It is light brown upperpart. Male has red bill, female has black bill. Image by: 1, 3) Claudio Timm 2) Cristiano Crolle - Esteros del Iberà, Argentina 4) Dario Sanches - Brazil 1, 2) Female 3, 4) Male Genus Anas This genus contains the dabbling ducks, so called because the dip their heads for food. They generally do not dive for food.

Included are the mallard like, wigeons, teals, pintails and shovelers. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Found: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia The breeding male Mallard has a glossy green head; white collar; purple-tinged brown breast; gray belly; yellowish-orange bill tipped with black. Female and nonbreeding male are predominantly mottled with individual feathers varying from buff to dark brown, a coloration shared by most female dabbling ducks. Female and nonbreeding males have dark eye-line and lighter supercilium. 2 - 6) Female Pintail, White-cheeked Anas bahamensis Found: Infrequently in Florida, Galapagos Islands, South America The White-cheeked Pintail is mainly brown, has a white throat and cheeks, gray bill with white cheeks. No similar birds in its range. Image by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Mary Point Pond, St.

John, Virgin Islands 3, 5, 7, 8) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 4) Dick - Washington National Zoo 6) Dick - the Galapagos Islands 9) Dick - the Galapagos Islands 10) Sandy Cole - Sylvan Heights 7, 8, 9) White morph Pintail, Yellow-billed Anas georgica Found: South America The Yellow-billed Pintail has brown head and neck, yellow bill with black tip and black stripe, brown tail, brownish tail, grayish brown upper wing, blackish-green secondaries.The rest of the body is buffish brown with varying size black spots. Similar to : Yellow-billed Teal . Yellow-billed Pintail has spotted flanks, Yellow-billed teal does not. Yellow-billed teal has larger spots on chest than Yellow-billed Pintail.

Image by: 1, 2, 5) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 3) Dick - San Diego Zoo 4) Cláudio Timm - Argentine Lake, Argentina Wigeon, American also Baldpate Anas americana Found: North America, southwest South America The American Wigeon has white belly, gray legs. The breeding male has a green crescent from its eyes to nape, off white crown that extends to its bill, pinkish brown back and breast, small black tipped light bill. The nonbreeding male has vestigial green and white on its head. The female has grayish brown back, gray head, chestnut breast, small black tipped gray bill. 1, 2, 3) Pair 4) Adult female and juvenile 5) Juvenile 6) Female 7 - 11) Male Wigeon, Chilöe Anas sibilatrix Found: South America The Chiloe Wigeon has gray back with white patterns, dark green head, white cheeks and forehead, gray black tipped bill, black and white barred breast, orange brown sides.

1) Female top, male bottom 2, 3, 4) Probably female 5, 6) Probably male Genus Lophonetta - 1 species Duck, Crested Lophonetta specularoides Found: South America The Crested Duck has dark brown upperparts with some light mottling, light mottled brown underparts, dark crown with darker mask. Similar to: Marbled Duck . Their ranges do not overlap. Image by: 1, 2) Claudio Timm - Argentine Lake, Argentina 3, 4) Charlie Westerinen - Ushuaia Argentina. Genus Pteronetta - 1 species Duck, Hartlaub's Pteronetta hartlaubii Found: African forests The Harlaub's Duck has chestnut plumage with black head and upper neck, white above base of the bill. Genus Sarkidiornis - 1 species Duck, Knob-billed also Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Found: Asia, Africa, South America The Knob-billed Duck has white head speckled with dark spots, white underparts, glossy blue-black upperparts. The male has a black knob on the bill. In South America ( S.

m. sylvicola) the male has dark flanks, the female has medium colored flanks. In the Old Workd (S. m. melanotos) the flanks are light colored. DNA analysis of the Knob-billed duck species suggests that it is a basal member of the Anatidae family. That is, the Knob-billed Duck does not have any close relatives. 1 - 6) Sarkidiornis m. sylvicola 1, 2) Male 3 - 6) Female 7 - 10) Sarkidiornis m. melanotos 7, 8) Male 9, 10) Female Genus Speculanas - 1 species What Is a Duck? - Define Ducks What Is a Duck? - Define Ducks What Is a Duck? - Define Ducks What Makes a Duck a Duck? When they all look so different, what makes ducks all the same?. Photo © Dan Pancamo /Flickr/Used With Permission By Melissa Mayntz Updated July 24, 2016. Ducks may be some of the most familiar bird species even to non-birders, but what makes a duck a duck?

The unique characteristics of these waterfowl are often overlooked and underappreciated in their avian diversity, but birders who understand how to define ducks can better enjoy these feathered wonders. Types of Ducks There are more than 100 species of ducks in the world , and many of them are uniquely specialized for different habitats, climates and diets. From eiders, mergansers and scaups to dabblers and divers, the different types of ducks are intriguing for birders to familiarize themselves with. By understanding more about what makes ducks unique, birders can more easily identify which waterfowl they see. Duck Geography Ducks are found throughout the world on every continent except Antarctica. They can be found in range of habitats, including marshes, rivers and oceans, but always require some open water nearby. In many areas, foreign species of ducks are introduced to parks and gardens because of their exotic beauty, and in some cases these introduced species can become invasive and problematic for native ducks. continue reading below our video 5 Hobbies That Give Your Brain a Workout Many ducks are also able to hybridize with other species, which can dilute the genetics of native ducks if introduced populations are not controlled.

Physical Characteristics of Ducks Ducks have several physical characteristics that label them as distinctly ducks. Feet: Ducks have wide, strongly webbed feet that help them be strong, efficient swimmers and in many cases, agile divers. The feet often have durable claws that help the birds grip different surfaces on land as well, including slippery rocks and branches, even if their body structure does not support agile walking. The color of the legs and feet can vary, but many ducks have brightly colored legs and feet, including yellow, orange, pink or red. Bill: A duck's bill is typically broad and somewhat flattened to function as a more efficient food scoop or strainer, though there is great variation in bill shape and size among ducks. Most types of ducks also have a hard nail at the end of the bill to help them root for food. Slight serrations or a comb-like structure, called lamellae , on the sides of the bill can help them strain water for insects and other food. Some ducks have very colorful bills, including red, orange, yellow or even blue. Body Shape: Ducks have a compact body that is efficient for streamlined swimming and preserving body heat when immersed in water.

Their legs are typically set far back on their body, which makes them ungainly on land but gives them more power when swimming and diving. Oval body shapes are the most common for ducks, but the proportions of the oval vary from very slender to a plump, nearly round body. Plumage Structure: A duck's plumage is so well constructed and thoroughly insulated – by design as well as from regular preening – that even when diving the under layer of down feathers does not get wet. This provides superb temperature control for the bird and prevents it from getting chilled even in icy water. The uropygial gland is critical for this insulation and waterproofing. Plumage Color: While dimorphic plumages are common for many types of birds, ducks take this to a new art with outrageous, even garish patterns on males with gaudy colors and vibrant patterns. Females are much more subdued with neutral colors and mottled patterns for better camouflage. When molting and less able to fly, males often look more like females to stay hidden until their feathers are ready for flight again. Duck Behavior Not only do ducks have different physical adaptations that make them unique, but their behaviors also distinguish them as a unique bird family.

Feeding: Ducks are often classified by the way they feed, either as dabbling ducks or diving ducks . Dabblers "tip up" on the surface of shallow water to forage for food as far down as they can reach, while divers submerge completely and swim underwater in search of food. Flight: Unlike many types of waterfowl that require a long takeoff runway, most ducks can take off nearly vertically from either land or water. Their flight is a series of stiff, rapid wingbeats and they rarely glide except when coming to land. Vocalization: Contrary to popular belief, very few ducks have "quack" calls, and their range of vocalizations includes whistles, squeaks and growls . Whereas in most types of birds the males are more vocal, with ducks it is the female who makes the most noise, though males are equally vocal during the breeding season. Breeding: Ducks can hybridize widely and may interbreed with several other duck species. This creates a range of indistinct plumages with unexpected color patterns and odd markings that are not always identifiable. This is further exacerbated by breeding with escaped domestic ducks .

Ducks are unique and delightful birds, though they can be easily overlooked by both novice and experienced birders. By understanding what makes a duck a duck, birders can better enjoy these distinguished waterfowl. Waterfowl Hunting | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Duck and goose calls Hunting over decoys Hunting ducks and geese over decoys is in some ways a much more complicated endeavor than jump-shooting or pass-shooting (described below), but, done right, it can also be very productive. Like pass-shooting, the object is to wait for birds to come to you, but unlike pass-shooting, you have a hand in enticing them to come closer than they might otherwise. As with all hunting methods, you must first find a place to hunt; a pond, slough, field, small bay, stretch of marine shoreline or whatever it might be where your research, scouting and other information-gathering efforts would indicate that birds are likely to be found. And, like the pass-shooter, the person hunting over decoys needs to be well-concealed, so an outer layer of camouflage from head to foot is usually a must, and that outer layer should be both waterproof and warm.

You’ll also need a place to hide from the birds. Waterfowl hunters call that hiding place a blind, and it can take many forms. They come in many shapes and sizes, ready-made or do-it-yourself, temporary and easily moved or, depending on where you’re hunting, permanent and simply “dusted off” each season. You can find lots of ideas for constructing your own blind in many books or on the websites of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited . You can also find ready-made blinds at sporting goods stores and through mail-order outlets. Portable “layout” blinds resembling large, waterproof sleeping bags, are a good option for some situations, especially field hunting. Depending on the surroundings, you may be able to fashion a very functional blind from available materials such as tree limbs, grass, cattails, or sagebrush. Be sure to “brush up” any blind with whatever natural vegetation occurs at the site you’re hunting. Where you build or place your blind may well be as important as how it looks and how well it hides you. As a general rule it’s best to be situated with the wind at your back, since ducks and geese, like 747 pilots, prefer to land and take off into the wind.

The predominate winds here in the Northwest are out of the west and southwest, so many permanent blinds are built on the west or southwest shorelines of our lakes and ponds. Locating your blind so that the wind is blowing right-to-left or left-to-right (crosswind) is also a good option, because approaching ducks aren’t as likely to look beyond the decoys and be alarmed by something they see in or around the blind. Hunting from a blind with the wind in your face is the worst option because most ducks will come in from behind you, allowing for the shortest reaction time. Sometimes, though, you simply have to build or place your blind where it blends in best, and take your chances on wind direction. Decoys Some hunters, especially those who hunt geese on open fields and those who hunt ducks on large bodies of water, may use dozens, even hundreds of decoys to help draw birds into shooting range, but for starters you can get by just fine with a dozen mallard decoys. Most ducks seem to recognize mallards, even fake mallards, and will feel safe landing among them. In fact, geese will sometimes be drawn in by mallard decoys.

The fact of the matter is that, if your decoys look real and are where the ducks might want to be, it doesn’t matter whether you’re using a dozen mallard imitations or five dozen decoys representing every waterfowl species found in this part of the country. For duck hunters - and some goose-hunting situations - where you place your decoys is usually going to make more difference than how many or what kind of decoys you put out. First and foremost, your decoys must be visible from the air, so place them out in the open where they can be seen from as far away as possible. A dozen decoys crowded three feet apart into one corner of a 50-acre field will probably go unnoticed by passing birds, as will decoys lined up tight to the edge of a cattail patch or placed under overhanging trees and brush on one side of a small pond.

There are nearly as many opinions on the “right” way to lay out a spread of decoys as there are duck and goose hunters, but there are some general rules on which most hunters agree, and one of those rules is that there should be a an open spot, or hole, among the decoys where there’s room for incoming birds to land, or attempt to land. Placing decoys in a “C” or a “J” formation, with the open side facing downwind is one way to do it. Some hunters place three or four clumps of two or three decoys each to the right in front of the blind and three or four clumps to the left, leaving a large are of open water in the middle, straight out in front of the blind. As mentioned earlier, big-water hunters gunning for sea ducks and other diving species may use 100 or more decoys, and many of them like the parallel strings or in a J pattern of decoy presentation.

Unlike puddle-duck hunters, whose decoys each have a separate anchor line and weight, big-water duck hunters may string dozens of decoys on one line, so that it doesn’t take hours to deploy and retrieve the decoys at the start and end of the day. If your blind is on a slough, small stream or side channel off a river, try blocking the entire channel you’re hunting with decoys. Flights of ducks on the main river often turn into the smaller feeder sloughs and channels when they see the decoys. If the channel is completely cut off, they’ll often drop right in on the first pass. Place a few singles, pairs and smaller groups of decoys downstream, along the edges of the channel, creating pinch points to funnel landing ducks toward your blind. Jump-shooting As the name implies, this method involves walking, crawling, running or, in some cases, paddling or rowing, to within shooting range of birds that are on the water or on the ground and flushing, or “jumping” them into the air. In other words, you’re stalking your birds, not waiting for them to come to you. How you go about stalking them, of course, is determined by the situation.

Jump-shooting puddle ducks along a weedy slough or series of small ponds may be a matter of sneaking quietly from one cattail patch to another and shooting at singles or pairs of birds that rise within shooting range. Jump-shooting a flock of 150 Canada geese on a recently harvested corn field, on the other hand, may require a 45-minute belly-crawl through 100 yards of mud and cow manure—and lots of luck—to get close enough for a shot. If those geese wander too close to an open hillside and a hunter can get to the back side of the hill without being spotted, the best strategy may be to charge over the hill like some kind of wader-clad sprinter to shorten the shooting distance before the surprised birds are out of range. As all three scenarios illustrate, jump-shooting isn’t a simple matter of slogging along and shooting birds that happen to appear in front of you. Successful jump-shooting requires a certain amount of reconnaissance, strategy and stealth.

Scout the areas you plan to hunt, wear camouflage clothing and facemask or face paint, move slowly and quietly, always be looking and listening as far ahead as possible, use the wind, weather and available cover to your advantage, and always assume that there are birds behind the next clump of cattails or around the next bend in the stream, so you’re ready to shoot when the time comes. Pass-shooting Rather than going to where the birds are resting or feeding and rooting ‘em out, pass-shooters find a spot where they think ducks or geese will pass by, then hunker down and wait for the birds to come to them, hoping their path will bring them within shooting range. The key, of course, is to put yourself in the right place at the right time, or your pass-shooting efforts could lead to some very long and very boring days. Luckily for hunters, though, ducks and geese are creatures of habit, and they tend to follow the same routine from day to day, season to season, year to year. That includes using the same travel routes between the places they roost at night and the places they feed during the day.

The pass-shooters’ primary challenge is to learn where those travel routes are and then to locate ambush points along the way. In some cases, the research has already been done, as there are well-known pass-shooting spots scattered throughout some of our prime duck-hunting and especially goose-hunting areas. Those traditional pass-shooting spots, however, tend to be pretty popular, and sometimes pretty crowded, so you may want to find a few of your own. Start by figuring out where birds feed, where they rest, and what the routes might be between those areas. In some cases the feeding areas and roosting areas may be only a short distance apart, such as a large lake and a farm field a mile away. In other cases, the travel route may cover 10 miles of rolling hills between the Columbia River and distant corn or wheat fields. Locate a hill they pass over, a point they pass by or a narrow valley they fly through on the way and you’re in business. On the more wide-open east side of the state you might be able to find a high point and scan the countryside for signs of low-flying birds in the distance, then zero in on those places that seem to be used frequently.

While the jump-shooter may kick up birds throughout the entire day, most of the action for pass-shooters is going to occur early in the day, when ducks and geese are traveling from roosting areas to feeding areas, and late in the day, when they’re returning to their roosting spots. Put bluntly, that means be in position by the start of legal hunting hours and/or stay there until sunset. And, as you would in any waterfowl hunting, try to be invisible to the birds. Wear camouflage clothing, facemask or paint and gloves. If there are rocks, bushes or trees nearby, get behind them or at least position yourself so that they break up your silhouette. Even better, build a small blind from limbs, brush and other natural materials or bring along a portable blind. Make sure that you are not taking long shots and shooting beyond the effective range of your shotgun and ammunition combination, so you are able to drop birds within easy retrieval range. Duck and goose calls There’s a duck or goose call for virtually every species and hunting situation you might encounter, but do some research before you buy one and do lots of practicing after you buy it.

Someone who knows how to use a duck or goose call can work miracles when it comes to drawing birds into shooting range. A bad caller, on the other hand, can chase them off even faster. Calls can be a very effective tool for the duck or goose hunter, but learn to use them BEFORE you take to the field. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and attend a calling seminar at a local sporting goods store or hunting club. A number of audio and video CDs provide very good instruction on calling all species of waterfowl; have your call ready and practice along with it. Listening to birds on a roost or feeding area and imitating them is a good way to practice your calls, even if you are not hunting. Even after you master the basics, use a call sparingly; over-calling is more likely to chase birds away than under-calling. Here are a few selected pointers (paraphrased) from Ducks Unlimited’s 10 tips for duck callers: As long as the ducks are coming in, stop calling. When targeting particular species, use calls intended for those species. (In other words, don’t depend totally on the standard mallard call.) If two or more people are calling, one should be the leader while others fill in.

Don’t compete with your own hunting partners. If what you’re doing isn’t working, make a change of some kind. The birds obviously aren’t buying what you’re trying to sell. What Do Ducks Eat? - Duck Diets and Feeding What Do Ducks Eat? By Melissa Mayntz Updated March 22, 2016. Ducks are omnivorous birds that will eat a wide variety of foods, and a varied diet provides good nutrition for healthy duckling growth, feather strength, muscle development, breeding success and more. Understanding what ducks eat can help birders provide a suitable diet for any ducks that frequent their local ponds or that may even venture into suburban or urban backyards. Foods Ducks Eat Wild ducks eat a wide range of different foods and they are constantly foraging for meals and snacks. Foods ducks regularly eat include: Small fish and fish eggs Snails, worms and mollusks Algae and aquatic plants and roots Frogs, salamanders and other amphibians Aquatic and land insects Seeds and grain Small berries, fruits and nuts In addition to these nutritious foods, some ducks will also eat sand, gravel, pebbles and small shells to provide grit that aids their digestion .

Grit may also provide trace amounts of critical minerals as part of an overall healthy, varied diet. continue reading below our video How to Save Money on Craft Supplies How a Duck's Diet Varies While all ducks are regularly omnivorous and will try many different foods that may be available, the exact diet any duck follows depends on several factors, including: Species: Some ducks are specialized for particular types of food, such as mergansers with narrow, toothed bills that eat primarily fish. Perching ducks that live in trees often have a lot of nuts or fruits in their diet. Season: Many ducks will have a diet of mostly insects in spring and summer when insects are most plentiful and provide the best nutrition for growing ducklings. When the seasons change and insects aren't as common, however, ducks will switch their diet to more easily available foods. A duck's diet may vary the most in winter, when they take advantage of any possible food source. Range: Where a duck's overall range occurs impacts its diet. Ducks that stay in fields or grassland areas eat more grains and grasses, while ducks that live along oceanic shorelines will eat more fish, algae and crustaceans.

When a duck's range changes during migration , its diet will change as well. If food is scarce, a duck's range may change accordingly to find more abundant food sources. Habitat: Where a bird lives affects the available food that will make up the majority of its diet. Ducks that prefer shady marsh habitats will eat more amphibians and small fish, while ducks - even of the same species - that stay in more open parks and grassy areas are more likely to eat grasses, weeds and grain. Ducks that stay in forested areas, such as the wood duck , eat a lot of nuts. Feeding Style: How a duck feeds has a large impact on its diet. Dabbling ducks feed in shallow water and are more likely to have a diet with more aquatic plants and insects. Diving ducks , on the other hand, feed deeper in the water and typically eat more fish or crustaceans. What Ducks Shouldn't Eat Unfortunately, the food most people associate with ducks – bread – is also one of the worst parts of a duck's diet. Bread is bad for ducks because it lacks any nutritional value for the birds.

A diet of mostly bread or bread-like products such as crackers, cookies, donuts, chips, cereal, popcorn and similar scraps will cause health problems, including obesity, malnutrition and poor development. Uneaten, rotting bread in the water will foster disease and attract pests and predators such as rats, raccoons and other mammals that may prey on ducklings or even attack adult ducks. Birders who enjoy feeding ducks should do so only rarely and should offer a range of nutritious foods , such as cracked corn , oats, chopped vegetables and lettuce leaves instead of unhealthy bread. Another unhealthy part of ducks' diet is lead - specifically, lead sinkers from abandoned fishing line. To a foraging duck, these small round or oblong pellets may look like nuts or seeds, but the toxic effects of the lead can linger in their systems for weeks, leading to debilitating weakness, illness and even death. Fishermen should always collect their discarded fishing line , hooks and sinkers, and should use appropriately weighted fishing line to minimize the risk of breaks that could cause lost sinkers that would tempt hungry ducks.

Ducks are opportunistic eaters and constant foragers that will sample nearly any food, and understanding what ducks eat can help birders keep their local duck habitats and duck feeding areas healthy and nutritious. Glossary Of Common Duck Hunting Terms Viewing Trail Cam Activity Duck Hunting Glossary Of Band - A duck band is the equivalent of trophy antlers to a duck hunter. Duck bands are highly prized and some even have bounties. Hunters who call in bounty bands are usually rewarded monetarily. Biologists use duck band information to study ducks. Breasting out - A butchering technique often used by waterfowl hunters. The breasts contain the vast majority of the meat on a wild duck. To breast out a duck simply peel back the skin and cut the breasts away from the chest plate. A filet knife is the tool of choice. Call - An instrument used to mimic the sound of waterfowl. Most are cylindrical in shape with the center hollowed out. Reeds are placed in the cavity. As air is pushed through the reeds, a quack sound is created. Coffin blind - Also called ground blinds. These blinds allow waterfowl hunters to hunt with a low profile in field situations without the digging pits.

Decoy - The tools of the trade for a duck hunter. Decoys were traditionally made of cork but most are now made of molded plastic. They are also made in a variety of subspecies but mallards are the most common. Several decoys set out to entice ducks is known as a decoy spread. Divers - Short for diving ducks; Scaup, canvasbacks, redheads, and mergansers are diving ducks. These birds dive below the surface of the water to find food such as fish and mollusks. Drake - Male ducks are known as drakes. Feeder chatter - When puddle ducks such as mallards are feeding they often make a rapid series of quacks. Duck hunters mimic this sound in an attempt to make approaching flocks believe their decoys are contented, feeding ducks. This sound is usually achieved by making the sound “ticka-ticka-ticka-ticka” into a call. Flyway - A term for the section of the country a duck uses to travel from the breeding grounds in the northern portion of the continent to southern breeding grounds. There are Fresh birds - A term used to describe new arriving birds to a particular area.

After a cold front comes through fresh birds usually arrive. These ducks are easier to hunt because they are unaware of where refuges and heavily hunted areas are. Full body decoy - These decoys have feet instead of keels. They are most often used during field hunting situations but some hunters will put them on logs, islands, or sand bars while hunting water. Hen - Female ducks are known as hens. High ball - The high ball call is also known as a hail call. It is a very loud multi-note call intended to get the attention of distant flocks. Once a flock begins to approach, it is best to switch to softer calling. Greenhead - Name used to describe a drake mallard. Drake mallards are the most harvested duck in North America. Jerk string - A jerk string is used to create motion within a flock. A string is connected to a few decoys within the spread. When ducks approach, a hunter pulls on the string creating motion within a decoy spread. This method was created well before the advent of the motion decoys of today. Landing zone - A landing zone is an open area within a decoy spread. This open area is intended to give ducks an area to land in.

Veteran hunters plan the landing zone in a spot offering advantageous shots. Limit - The maximum amount of ducks a hunter can legally harvest on any given day. Locked Up - When a duck is about to land it stops beating it’s wings and locks them up while descending. The best time to shoot ducks are when they are locked up. Migration - A duck’s trip to and from wintering and breeding grounds. Ducks fly south during the fall and north in the spring. Motion decoy - A decoy with moving parts intended to create realism within a decoy spread. They offer a wide variety of motion from kicking feet, moving heads, spinning wings, and much more. Plucking - Harvested ducks bound for the roasting pan are plucked. Entrails are removed and all the feathers are pulled off the body while leaving the skin intact. Dunking the bird in boiling water makes the process of plucking easier. Puddlers - Short for puddle duck. Puddle ducks are birds that typically eat only vegetation. Mallards, gadwalls, pintails, and wigeon. They are also known as dabbling ducks. Refuge - A safe place for waterfowl where hunting is not allowed.

Refuges offer migrating waterfowl a resting place on their journey. Retriever - Name given to dogs used for hunting. Retrievers locate and collect downed ducks. The Labrador Retriever is the most commonly used retriever. However, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and American Water Spaniels are among many other breeds waterfowl hunters enjoy. Silhouettes - Two dimensional duck decoys. Silhouettes are less expensive than full body decoys. Hunters that demand large spreads use them to save money while making a big impact. Skiff - A small boat used for hunting in marshes and other small bodies of water. Most skiffs are paddle powered. Skybusting - A term used to describe the practice of shooting at out of range ducks. Skybusting is the mortal sin of the duck hunting world. Skybusters can wound birds. Those who are unharmed learn from the experience and are believed to be harder to hunt. Spinning wing decoy - The most common type of motion decoy. They usually consist of a molded duck body on a stake with wings on either side. The wings spin giving the decoy the appearance of a duck landing in the spread.

Sprig - Term hunters use to describe a drake pintail. Also known as a bull sprig. Water keel - A type of duck decoy that has a hollow keel below the body of the decoy. They are lightweight and inexpensive, but tend to rock unnaturally and can tip over in windy conditions. Weighted keel - A weighted keel decoy has sand or lead in the keel of the decoy. This weight helps stabilize the decoy in windy weather and ensures the decoy lands head up when throwing decoys out during setup. Wing beat - The motion of a flying duck’s wings. The wing beat will significantly slow when a duck is planning to land. As the duck WPA - Waterfowl Production Area; these are federally owned properties designed to give waterfowl areas to nest in the spring. They are open to hunting in the fall and can provide excellent wing shooting opportunities

Question: Referring to their feeding method, ducks can be diving ducks - or what other kind?
Answer: Dabbling ducks