Ducks

Duck is the common name for a number of species in the Antedate family of birds. The ducks are divided between several subfamilies in the Anatidaefamily; they do not represent a monophyletic group but form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered ducks. Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, mostly smaller than the swans and geese, and may be found in both fresh water and sea water. Ducks are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as loons or divers, grebes, gallinules, and coots.

Breeding
The ducks are generally monogamous, although these bonds generally last a single year only. Larger species and the more sedentary species (like fast river specialists) tend to have pair-bonds that last numerous years. Most duck species breed once a year, choosing to do so in favorable conditions (spring/summer or wet seasons). Ducks also tend to make a nest before breeding. Although mother ducks are very caring and protective of their young, they are not above abandoning some of their ducklings if they are physically stuck in an area they cannot get out of or are not prospering due to genetic defects or sickness brought about by hypothermia, starvation, or disease. Ducklings can also be orphaned by inconsistent, late hatching where a few eggs hatch long after the mother has abandoned the nest.

Kinds of ducks
1. Dabbling Duck 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 widgeon and different teams are also dabblers. 2. Diving Duck

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 scups, golden eyes, canvasback, rosy bill and redhead.
3. Eider These types of sea-ducks are found in very northern, Arctic habitats, and theyre well known for their lush down and its spectacular insulating properties that protect them from the harsh cold. Eider species include the common, spectacled, Stillers and king eider. 4. Golden eye Aptly named for their brilliant yellow eyes, golden eye duck species are diving ducks characterized by their big, round heads. They nest in tree holes and have sharp black and white plumage. Golden eye species include the common and Barrows golden eyes, though buffleheads are sometimes categorized as golden eyes as well. 5. Merganser

5. Merganser 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 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 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 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, golden eyes and mergansers.

9. Stifftail The stiff tails 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. Stiff tails include the ruddy duck, masked duck and blue-billed duck. 10. Teal 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 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 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.