Ducks - Birds - Diet
Generally, ducks are omnivorous birds. Some ducks, however, feed solely on herbs, while others appear to be carnivorous. Ducks feed on the plants available at common habitats. As for animals, ducks eat fish and fish eggs, and invertebrates. It is interesting to note that feeding behavior may change prior to the breeding season. Ducks that feed mostly on herbs shift to a carnivore diet to gain necessary weight.
Ducks - Birds - Habitat
Ducks are found in wetlands and aquatic areas. Migration preferences also differ from species to species. Some ducks tend to move to arctic wetlands. Others are just the other way round; they migrate to lower-latitude areas. Habitat preferences depend greatly on nesting opportunities. Ducks - Birds - Migration
Though most ducks are migratory birds, they do not move to new places yearly. Some ducks are known to cross long distances. For example, they can move from Canada to the southern regions of the United States and Venezuela. Some ducks tend to choose inland areas for nesting, while others have preference for areas close to an ocean and bays.
How do ducks migrate? It is believed that ducks make use of their inborn navigation abilities. They often make a come back to places where they have nested during the previous year. However, some species do not have a permanent nesting site. They choose the migration destination depending of the current habitat condition.
Ducks - Birds - Hunting
Duck hunting is one of the most fascinating of activities. Special laws, both federal and local levels, regulate duck hunting. Mallards are considered to be the most abundant of the waterfowl species. Millions of mallards are hunted yearly with no effect on the population size of the species. Redheads are a desired prey for hunters. They lack a fishy flavor that is characteristic of other waterfowl species. Overall, hunting is not considered a threat for ducks. Their numbers are steady. Habitat loss is considered more detrimental for ducks than hunting them. Ducks - Birds - Hunting Links
American Waterfowler - Duck and goose hunting information. Includes bulletin boards and information on equipment, dogs, organizations and agencies, and weather reports.
Arkansas Waterfowler - Information source for Arkansas waterfowl hunting. Includes forums, classifieds, and guided hunting information.
ArkansasDuckTalk - Arkansas waterfowl hunting forum.
Delta Duck Hunter - Contains links to wildlife agencies, weather links, river stages, and information for the successful waterfowler.
Duck Hunters Refuge - Duck hunting links, chat rooms, and message forum.
Duckhunting.com - Contains links to resources about duck hunting topics such as guides and outfitters, clubs and organizations, equipment, and taxidermists.
Ducks Unlimited - An International nonprofit wetlands, waterfowl, and wildlife conservation organization.
Florida Waterfowler - Information site for the Florida waterfowl community.
Fowl Play USA - Features duck and goose hunting forums, reports, tactics and tips, and other information for waterfowl hunting enthusiasts.
Goose and Duck Hunting - Information portal on waterfowl.
Southern Duck Hunter - Contains many resources for duck hunters including search capabilities, species information, and updated news articles.
The Mallard Club - Waterfowl hunting forums, a chatroom, calling forum, recipes and links.
Waterfowl Identification - Links to duck and other waterfowl identification.
Waterfowl U.S.A. Online - Includes hunting and species information, Chat forum and related news articles.
Waterfowler.com Magazine - Features updated information, field reports, forums, and duck hunting product information.
Wildfowling - For wildfowlers in Great Britain dealing with many aspects of the sport of waterfowling including duck hunting and goose shooting.
Wisconsin Duck Hunter - A meeting place for duck hunters in Wisconsin to exchange information on hunting conditions, tactics and equipment; including a field report bulletin board, picture gallery and useful links.
Ducks - Birds - General Information Links
Duck - Wikipedia - Information about ducks and species of ducks.
Duck Links from the Web - Links to duck related sites.
Duck, Goose And Swan Information Pages - Information about keeping and breeding ducks, geese and swans for hobbyists, hunting preserves, 4-H programs, and general education, with pictures of many species of waterfowl.
Ducks in Canada - Population Trends - The waterfowl observed in the surveys are ducks that breed in the area or are migrating to breeding grounds in Alaska or northern Canada (Yukon, NWT, or Alberta).
Ducks of the World - Description of various species of ducks.
Michigan Has Many Species of Ducks - Article about Michigan ducks.
Species Reports: Ducks - Population status, habitat features, threats, research and monitoring, and management.
Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks - Species, age and sex identification of ducks using wing plumage.
Spectacular Wood Ducks - Description and habits of the wood duck. PDF format.
Wild Ducks of North America - Information on duck diet, migration, habitat, coloration, and populations in North America.
Wildfowling Quarry Species - Ducks and Geese - Information on feeding, breeding, migration, and other facts about ducks and geese.
Ducks - Birds - Other Ducks sites
Ducks Pictures - Along with geese and swans, ducks belong to the family, Anatidae. They are referred to as waterfowl and are well accustomed to living near ponds and rivers. For some species, salt water is also good. Ducks can be both migratory and settled. Those species that dwell in northern areas are considered to be migratory. Ducks, which live in warm regions, migrate only within the confines of their home areas for feeding and breeding. Ducks are smaller than swans and geese. Being predominantly aquatic birds, ducks have webbed legs and a smooth shape of the body. Ducks seek out safe and solitary places for nesting and feeding with a due supply of grass, grains, insects, amphibian and fish. As all other members of the Anatidae family, ducks have elongated necks and relatively wide beaks. They stretch their necks out far in flight.
Ducks Hunting - Ducks, along with geese and swans, belong to the family Anatinae. Like other waterfowl, they have webbed legs and greased plumage. This natural greasing prevents soaking and keeps the feathers almost dry. Ducks are smaller than their relatives are-geese and swans, and ducks flip their wings faster. They have shorter legs, which are set closer to the rear.
Male ducks (drakes) have colorful plumage and a distinctive speculum-shaped marking, which makes them look attractive for females. At the end of mating season 'eclipse molting' of a duck takes place. After that, drakes obtain a duller look and they are more like females at this time. Perhaps, it is in many ways due to that brilliance of plumage that there is so big of a mortality rate among drakes. Females are always dull, which makes them less conspicuous for predators and hunters. It is also safer for hatchlings that way.
