Wild ducks: species, descriptions, and distinctive features of drakes with photos

According to research, the most common bird in Russia is the duck. These waterfowl can be found in fresh and slightly brackish waters. They are small in size and undemanding. Some species, such as the greylag goose and mallard, have been domesticated for their meat, eggs, and down. Wild species are hunted.

General characteristics

Ducks belong to a large, widespread family of waterfowl that includes about 150 speciesAll of them have a streamlined, wide body, flipper-like webbed feet, and a flattened bill. Ducks' plumage is completely waterproof, thanks to the oil secreted by the coccygeal gland.

Nevertheless, birds regularly require thorough feather cleaning. To do this, they run through the water, loudly flapping their wings. Ducks that haven't bathed for several days may drown the first time they hit the water or will struggle to swim, partially submerged. Dirty feathers also interfere with flight. After bathing, birds come ashore and shake themselves thoroughly, which helps restore the feather structure damaged by water. They then use their beaks to extract oil from the preen gland and apply it to their feathers.

Nutritional Features

Feeds on most species of ducks plant feeds, and in some cases animal food:

1. The diet of wood ducks includes grass and roots dug out of the ground.
2. Steamer ducks and marine ducks are good divers and feed on the bottom of bodies of water. They feed on crustaceans and mollusks.
3. Diving ducks submerge themselves in the water until only their tail remains above the surface. Their diet includes zooplankton, algae, worms, mollusks, and insects.
4. Mergansers behave more efficiently underwater, so they easily catch sea fish.

Most ducks feed on the surface of the water, scooping water into their beaks, where it is filtered, leaving behind various algae, plant particles, small invertebrates, and plankton.

Mallard - photo

This is the most common breed, familiar to all hunters. This large river bird has a long, short body, reaching 60 cm in lengthThe main differences in its appearance are:

1. The slightly mottled, vibrant coloration of female ducks allows them to successfully hide in the reeds.
2. The drakes' heads and necks are emerald-pearlescent. Their necks are bordered by a white band, and the feathers on their heads and necks are smooth.
3. Orange paws and yellow beak.
4. Ash-gray sides, back and belly.

The drake is lighter than the female and always swims after her. When vocalizing, the female only quacks, while the drake's voice resembles a metallic "chewing."

Mallards arrive in temperate latitudes in early spring, immediately after the snow melts. And by early March, the hunting season begins.

In early spring, the birds gather in small groups and graze in the grass. They rarely venture onto water until April. In autumn, they prefer marshy areas with abundant vegetation.

In mid-April, ducks they go to plant eggs in the reeds, while the drakes swim carefree in open water or on dry land. Birds of this breed are not known for their caution or intelligence, which is why hunters shoot them in large numbers.

Ducklings hatch in August, begin growing rapidly, and reach slaughter weight by the end of September. This is why the second hunting season begins between October and November.

Teals - photo

The birds' name comes from the "teal, teal" sound they make. This species of duck can reach 40 cm in length, with the female being smaller than the male. A few weeks before mating season, the drakes become brightly colored. In the spring, they turn gray again, dull, and are indistinguishable from the females.

There are the following types of teal:

1. Garganey. The gray female has a long bill with a whitish patch at the base. The drakes have ash-gray wings on top. During the breeding season, their heads turn a reddish-brown, and a white stripe runs from the eye to the nape. Garganey drakes can be distinguished by their lighter plumage and the "krer-krer-rrer" sound they make with a raised head. The female, on the other hand, makes a simple, high-pitched quack.
2. The Teal is the smallest duck species. The female is gray, with dark shoulders and a spot on her head. The drake has a white shoulder stripe and a whitish-yellow patch between the tip of the tail and the belly. These birds are agile and fast in flight. A flock of Teals can quickly perform synchronized turns.
3. Marbled Teal. In Russia, it is found in the Caspian region and the Volga Delta. It is a very rare species. Adults reach 400-600 grams and have an easygoing, trusting nature. They spend most of their lives aquatic, making them excellent swimmers and deep divers. This species' population is declining due to the destruction of small, vegetated bodies of water, which are the birds' natural habitat.
4. The common teal. The noblest of the teal species, it is a prized trophy among hunters, as it rarely enters Russia. It nests primarily on Sakhalin Island and in Central Asia. The common teal's head is adorned with beautiful golden-emerald abstractions.

Gray duck - photo

This breed is smaller than the mallard. Of all the ducks, only the gadwall has a drake natural, muted color, which is why they are often mistaken for females during hunting. In flight, these birds are distinguished by a bright white "speculum" and a sharp whistling sound of their wings. The "speculum," which is difficult to see on the water, is black and white in females, while in males it is black, white, and chestnut.

The male drake differs from the female duck only in its scaly gray chest and grayish-streaked sides and back. Both the male and female ducks have a brown head. The female duck's upper and undertail coverts are reddish, while the male's are black. The female resembles a mallard in appearance, differing only in her yellowish-orange coloring.

Shoveler - photo

It's clear from the name that ducks of this species have a shovel-shaped, widened bill. Among all ducks The shoveler drake is the most beautifulIt differs:

• red belly and sides;
• white breast;
• dark green neck and head;
• bright yellow eyes;
• with bright orange paws.

The "mirror" of the male's wings is bright green, the front of the wings are blue.

The tawny female has brown eyes and makes a rhythmic "peep, pee, pee" sound. The male makes a soft, nasal "sok-sun, sook-sun." The shoveler is one of the most wary duck species.

Killer whale photo

Large wild ducks, whose weight can reach one kilogram, can grow up to 50 cmThe dark-brown plumage of the female killer whale is very similar to that of the Eurasian wigeon. It can be distinguished by its long gray bill. During the breeding season, the male drake is so brightly colored that it outshines the female. He has a dark green head, collar, and flanks. He has a white throat, a bronze crown, and a white, black, or yellow cloacal area. In flight, killer whales have a blackish "mirror" visible, bordered by a white stripe along the inner edge.

This beautiful duck is widely distributed, often kept in captivity. Its nesting grounds are in East Asia and many parts of Russia, northern Japan and the Kuril Islands, northern China, and parts of North Korea. Killer whales inhabit wet meadows, plains, and lakes.

Wild ducks are constantly on the move and get their own food, so have a small weightDespite this peculiarity, they are a sought-after prey for hunters. There is a wide variety of ducks in the wild. Some are hunted for their tasty meat, while others are hunted for their beautiful plumage.