all about ducks
If you were to ask the average person if they know what a duck is, a large percentage would say yes. Most of us perceive ducks as white animals with an orange beak floating in a pond. Many would be surprised to discover that there are many colors and varied species in the duck family. From the Mallard Duck to the Blue Winged Teal Duck and everything in between, they are unique in many ways. Here we will highlight some of the most popular ducks and what makes them different from each other.
One of the most beautiful and distinctive ducks is the Northern Shoveler. This duck is prevalent in the northern part of the world. Extremely easy to identify due to large spoon-shaped bill. Typically, the breeding male will be identifiable by a green head, brown stomach area, and white chest area. Adding to its distinctiveness and beauty, when in flight this duck will also display pale blue wing feathers. The females of this species are a bit more typical. They feature a long, wide bill and a light brown body similar to a mallard. They are typically about 19 inches long and weigh a little over a pound.
Next up is the blue-winged teal duck. Pretty at first sight, they are very reminiscent of their name. With a striking teal body and blue wings that are revealed when flying. They are easily distinguishable among other ducks. They are not extremely common and can be found anywhere in the hemisphere. They are a bit large and make a definite first impression on the viewer.
Muscovy ducks are a common species among the duck family. Muscovy ducks are also known as wild ducks. They are known as wild ducks because they are often found in wetland areas of the hemisphere. Places that are wetlands can refer to parks, small ponds, and rivers. Muscovy Ducks are easily recognizable and probably one of the best known ducks in the world. Although they are found in wetland areas, they are also migratory ducks. This refers to having the predominant amount of them in the northern part of the hemisphere when it is hot. As soon as the weather starts to turn cold, these ducks fly south for the winter. Extremely fast flyers, they have clock speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. Within the Muscovy duck species, there are also hybrid variations. Some of the most popular include Big Marsh Mallard (usually found in large swampy areas) and Springtime Plumage Mallard (develops beautifully colored plumage in the spring).
Although there are many other species and hybrids of ducks, these are just a few of the most popular. As you can see, ducks are very unique and interesting creatures. Different colors, sizes, speeds and species make them extremely varied. So, as you can see, ducks aren’t just the white, orange-billed variety that we usually associate them with. They continue to evolve and change, adding beauty and grace to many areas of this extraordinary world.
