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The Diverse World of Ducks

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The Diverse World of Ducks

Most true ducks reach sexual maturity within their first year and usually form pair bonds for only a single breeding season.

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Emma Richardson

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Most true ducks reach sexual maturity within their first year and usually form pair bonds for only a single breeding season. This differs from true geese and swans, which often mature later and commonly maintain long-term pair relationships. Important exceptions among ducks include shelducks and several groups of sea ducks.
Ducks are commonly organized into three broad behavioral categories: dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and perching ducks. These groups are mainly distinguished by the way they feed, move, and use their habitats.
The mallard is one of the best-known dabbling ducks. Dabbling species usually feed in shallow water rather than diving completely beneath the surface. Other members of this group include pintails, teals, shovelers, wigeons, gadwalls, and several species commonly referred to as black ducks.
Perching ducks are better adapted to life around trees than most other ducks. Species such as the Muscovy duck, wood duck, and mandarin duck have relatively long claws that help them grip branches. They frequently rest or nest in trees and are considered the most tree-oriented members of the duck group.
The diving ducks include many species that spend large amounts of time feeding underwater. Some are strongly associated with marine habitats, including eiders and scoters. Others are mainly freshwater birds, such as mergansers, ring-necked ducks, pochards, scaups, and canvasbacks. Redheads, goldeneyes, and buffleheads may use both freshwater and coastal saltwater environments depending on the season.
Another specialized group is the stifftails, represented by species such as the ruddy duck. These birds are highly adapted to swimming and diving, with their legs positioned far toward the rear of the body. This arrangement improves underwater movement but makes walking on land more difficult.
Whistling ducks, also known as tree ducks, are somewhat different. Despite their common name, they are not considered true ducks and are more closely related to geese and swans.
Several other species do not fit neatly into the larger duck categories. These include the freckled duck, torrent duck, shelducks, and steamer ducks.
Despite their differences in behavior, habitat, and body structure, ducks, geese, and swans all belong to the same bird family, Anatidae.

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