Duck

Duck is a common name for an Aquatic Bird which is composed of a number of species in the Anatidae family of Birds. They are also known as Waterfowl which mean Birds living near water bodies like Ponds, Streams, Lakes, Rivers etc. They are related to Geese and Swans but are relatively smaller than them. Grammatically speaking, a Duck refers to the Female and Drake to the Male. Ducks produce a typical sound which is called Quacking . However, not all Ducks Quack. The only Duck that does not Quack, is Wood Duck which Squeals instead. Ducks were once wild until they were domesticated by the Chinese over 1,000 year ago. They have been domesticated by Humans for meat, eggs and feathers. Most of the Farm Ducks are of a Breed called 'Pekin'. Duck Feathers are used for stuffing quilts and pillows. The Feathers are usually from the Eider Duck. Thus, the name 'Eiderdown' for stuffed quilts. Their Feathers are harvested in Iceland where they are found everywhere along the coast and are a valuable source of income for the people here. All Domestic Ducks have a common Living Ancestor i.e. Wild Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), except the Muscovy Duck. Many Domestic Breeds have become much larger than their wild ancestor, with a 'Hull Length' (from base of neck to base of tail) of 30 cm (12 inches) or more and routinely able to swallow an adult British Common Frog (Rana temporaria) whole; the Wild Mallard's 'Hull Length' is about 6 inches. Ducks can live from 2-12 years, depending on the Species.

Ducks are generally divided into Three Major Groups based on their characteristic behaviours:

1.  Dabbling Ducks - These Duck are found in Shallow Water Bodies and feed feed by upending and dabbling. Some of the Dabbling Duck Species are - Mallard, Pintails, Teals, Shovellers and Wigeons.

2.  Diving Ducks - These Duck are especially found near Bays and Estuaries. They are known for diving in the water for their food, therefore the name 'Diving Duck'. Some of the Diving Duck Species include - Mergansers, Ring-Necked Ducks, Pochards, Redhead, Goldeneye and Bufflehead

3.  Perching Ducks - These Ducks are found near Water Bodies which have Trees near them. They are are known for their habit of roosting in trees. Therefore these Ducks tend to have long claws. Some of the Perching Duck Species include Muscovy, Wood Duck, and Mandarin Duck.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom - Animalia.
Phylum - Chordata.
Class - Aves.
Order - Anseriformes.
Family - Anatidae.
Subfamily - Various.

Physical Features

Weight - Weight of Ducks varies according to Species and Gender. A Domestic Drake generally weighs 1–5 kg and Ducks 1-2 kg. The Smallest Species weighs no more than 0.5 pounds (0.2 kilograms) while the Largest weighs up to 49 pounds (22.5 kilograms).

Height - Height of Ducks varies according to Species and Gender. On an Average their height is about 5 inches or 4 inches. A Domestic Ducks length stands from up to 60 cm. in Height. The Smallest Species stands 13 inches (33 centimetres) and the Largest Species is 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length.

Colour - Colouring varies but is primarily Brown with White, Black, and Metallic Green Accents. The Males (drakes) are usually the Brightly Coloured ones while the Females (ducks) are usually a Dull-Coloured Brown so that they can hide or be camouflaged from their enemies when they are in their nests.

• The overall Body Structure of Ducks is mostly Elongated and Broad. The Body Shape of Diving Ducks varies somewhat from this in being more rounded.

• Their Bill is usually broad, flat and have rows of fine notches along the edge called 'Lamellae'. The Lamellae helps the Duck to grip its food so that it will not slip off. However, Ducks Bills come in different shapes and sizes. The shape of the Bill and body features will determine how the Duck hunt for its food. Ducks which have broad beaks, sift their food for insects, snails and seeds from the mud. These are called the shovellers. The Northern Shoveller is an example.

• Some Ducks happen to have Long and Narrow beaks. The Narrow Beaks are also covered will with saw-like edges which help them to grab fish. Sea Ducks usually have this kind of Beak. Sea Ducks are also Divers. Examples are the Mergansers, Eiders, Harlequins, Goldeneyes and Buffleheads.

• Ducks are highly aquatic and Diving Ducks are characterized by legs set far toward the rear of the body. This gives them a distinctive waddling gait.

• Duck have Scaled Legs which are strong and well developed, and generally set far back on the body, more so in the highly aquatic Species.

• Ducks have Webbed Feet, designed for swimming. Their Webbed Feet act like paddles for the Ducks. A Duck Waddles instead of Walking because of its Webbed Feet.

• Duck's Feet cannot feel cold even if they swim in icy cold water because their feet have no nerves or blood vessels.

• Ducks have a Special Gland that produces Oil near the Duck's Tail which spreads and covers the outer coat of the Duck's Feathers, making it Water-proof. Beneath the Water-proof coat are fluffy and soft feathers to keep the Duck warm.

• Ducks have strong Wings. These Wings are generally short and pointed, and the flight of Ducks requires fast continuous strokes, requiring in turn strong wing muscles. Three species of Steamer Duck are almost Flightless, however, many Species of Duck are Temporarily Flightless while Moulting; they seek out protected habitat with good food supplies during this period. This Moult typically precedes migration.

• The Drakes of Northern Species often have Extravagant Plumage which is Moulted in summer to give a more Female-like appearance, the 'Eclipse' Plumage. Southern Resident Species typically show less Sexual Dimorphism, although there are exceptions like the Paradise Shelduck of New Zealand which is both strikingly Sexually Dimorphic and where the Female's plumage is brighter than that of the Male. The Plumage of Juvenile Birds Generally resembles that of the Female.

Geographical Range and Habitat

Ducks are generally found in Habitats which are located near water. These include Marshes, Lakes, Rivers, Ponds, Streams etc. They can be seen everywhere in the world except the Antarctica which is too cold for them.

Behaviour

It is a normal behaviour of a Duck to be Alert with a Level Carriage. They often waddle around and peck as they investigate the surroundings. Ducks will emit characteristic Quacking or Honking noises when their territories are entered.

Ducks keep themselves clean by Preening themselves. They do this by being able to turn their heads completely backwards, and putting their beaks into the feathers on their wings, breast and back. They Preen themselves very often.

Ducks are generally Gregarious, which means they may form a group of few to a flock of hundreds or thousands. They spend most of the day resting on the banks of the estuaries, lagoons and occasionally in the trees along the river bank.

Some Species of Ducks Migrate or Travel Long distances every year to Breed. Usually they travel to warmer areas or where the water does not freeze so that they can rest and raise their young. The distance may be thousands of miles away.

When the Ducks fly, they usually do so in a "V-shaped" formation or a Long Line. The V formation greatly boosts the efficiency and range of flying birds, particularly over long Migratory Routes. All the Birds except the first fly in the upwash from the wing tip vortices of the Bird ahead. The Upwash assists each bird in supporting its own weight in flight, in the same way a glider can climb or maintain height indefinitely in rising air. In a V formation of 25 members, each Bird can achieve a reduction of induced drag by up to 65% and as a result increase their range by 71%. The Birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members. The formation also makes communication easier and allows the Ducks to maintain visual contact with each other.

Diet - Ducks eats a variety of organisms which include mussels, sea snails, crabs, shrimps, barnacles, fish, snails and other small crustaceans and some sea-weeds.

Predators - Ducklings are particularly vulnerable, since their inability to fly makes them easy prey not only for predatory birds but also large fish like pike, crocodilians, and other aquatic hunters, including fish-eating birds such as herons. Ducks' nests are raided by land-based predators and brooding Females may be caught unaware on the nest by mammals such as foxes, or large birds, such as hawks or eagles. Other Predators include raccoon, turtles, hawks, large fish and snakes. Adult Ducks are fast fliers, but may be caught on the water by large aquatic predators including big fish such as the North American muskie and the European pike. In flight, Ducks become Prey of the Peregrine Falcon, which regularly uses its speed and strength to catch Ducks.

Reproduction

All true Ducks, except those in the Shelduck group and Sea Ducks, mature in the first year and pair only for the season. 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 favourable conditions (spring/summer or wet seasons). Ducks usually look for a mate or partner in winter. The Males will attract the Females with their colourful plumage or feathers. The Females will then lead the Males to their breeding ground in spring. Instinctively, the breeding ground is usually the same place where she was hatched as if it has a built-in homing device. The Female builds her nest with grass or reeds or even in a hole in a tree. The Male will guard their territory by chasing away other couples. Once the Female lays 5-12 eggs, she will start to sit on her eggs to keep it warm so that they can hatch into Ducklings. The Males on the other hand, will be with the other Males. The eggs will hatch within 28 days normally, except for the Muscovy which takes about 35 days to hatch.

In Folklore and Culture

• Duck features in some American Indian Legend which titles as Coyote vs. Duck, Iktomi and the Ducks etc.

• Duck features in a Polish Legends which has been published in the form of a book, Titled - 'Legend of the Golden Duck'.

• There is also a Myth that a Duck's Quack doesn't Echo which is not true.

• 'The Ugly Duckling' is the most Popular Duck Story ever produced. It is a literary fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen. The story tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from his neighbours until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a graceful swan, the most beautiful bird of all. It has been so famous that it is included in academic syllabus of Schools.

• Psychologist Richard Wiseman and colleagues at the University of Hertfordshire, UK conducted some experiments and concluded that the Ducks attract the most humor and silliness of any animal. According to their analysis if someone has to tell a joke they should tell a joke featuring a Duck. Ducks seem to have acquired a reputation of being funny because of their seemingly silly looks or behaviour.

• Donald Duck is one of the most popular and well recognised Cartoon Characters created by Walt Disney on 9 June 1934.

• Another famous Cartoon Character is Daffy Duck, which has appeared in Cartoon Series 'Looney Tunes' and 'Merrie Melodies'. The Character has also been  featured in some Warner Brothers films like 'Space Jam', and 'Looney Tunes: Back in Action'.

• Duck Tales is another Cartoon Television Series produced by Walt Disney Television featuring Uncle Scrooge.