Ducks: Part III

Part III of Ducks.

There are a great many species of Ducks, Geese, and Swans throughout the world. 51 species common to the United States. (39 Ducks, 8 Geese and 3 Swans).

There are many types of Ducks, and different organizations and/or people have their own "types." Simply though, Ducks are either "Dabbling" or "Diving".  There are 16 species of Dabbling Ducks. They are most often found in shallow water. They eat from just below the surface or by dunking their head under water to glean plants and insects. They may also come on land eating grasses and insects.

In the United States there are 23 species of Diving Ducks. Diving Ducks are agile swimmers and more often found in deeper water. While their food choices include insects and plants, they also catch fish.

You could also classify ducks as "sea ducks" or "fresh water ducks" which is useful information to know.

Green Winged Teal

Harlequin Duck

Lesser  Scaup

Leucistic Mallard Duck

Long Tailed Duck

Mallard Duck

Sea Ducks: or at least of few of them

Today, my pitiful collection of Sea Ducks. First, I should say that according to some experts, the Mergansers, Goldeneyes, and Buffleheads fall in this category. The Goldeneyes and Bufflehead I have shown you already under the category of Diving Ducks. The Mergansers are on tap for tomorrow.  Although the Goldeneyes, Mergansers, and Buffleheads have many of the physical characteristics of Sea Ducks, they are mostly found on inland waterways, hence my treating those ducks with the other diving ducks. The Sea Ducks I am going to show you today are almost exclusively found in the sea (which is why my collection is rather pitiful). Missing are the Common, King, Spectacled, and Steller's Eider. 

Harlequin Duck

photo taken at the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington

Old Squaw or Long Tail Duck

Photo taken Gray's Harbour, Washington

Surf Scoter

photo taken on Puget Sound, Washington

White Winged Scoter

photo taken on Puget Sound, Washington