Puddle DucksPuddle Ducks

Goals:Goals:• Be able to decipher different parts of Be able to decipher different parts of

a ducka duck• Be able to identify common puddle Be able to identify common puddle

ducksducks• Be able to tell characteristics of both Be able to tell characteristics of both

puddle and diving duckspuddle and diving ducks

Sections of WingSections of Wing

Parts of a DuckParts of a Duck

Puddle DucksPuddle Ducks

Frequent marshes and Frequent marshes and shallow riversshallow rivers

Bright iridescent Bright iridescent speculumspeculum

Feed by dabbling, Feed by dabbling, tippingtipping

Feed in fieldsFeed in fields Feeds on grains, nuts, Feeds on grains, nuts,

and aquatic and aquatic vegetationvegetation

Take off straight upTake off straight up

DiversDivers

Frequent larger, Frequent larger, deeper lakes and deeper lakes and riversrivers

Colored but not Colored but not iridescent speculumsiridescent speculums

Paddle on water to Paddle on water to take offtake off

Eat fish, mollusks, Eat fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and crustaceans, and vegetationvegetation

MallardMallard

Large duck, 2.5-Large duck, 2.5-3lbs , 24-28 3lbs , 24-28 inchesinches

Chestnut chest, Chestnut chest, white belly, dark white belly, dark rump, green headrump, green head

Blue speculum Blue speculum with white tipswith white tips

Male and Female MallardMale and Female Mallard

In flightIn flight

Green-Winged TealGreen-Winged Teal

Smallest of puddle Smallest of puddle ducksducks

About 3/4 lbs. 14 About 3/4 lbs. 14 in.in.

Tan chest with dark Tan chest with dark spots, maroon spots, maroon head, iridescent head, iridescent green eye maskgreen eye mask

Iridescent green Iridescent green and black speculumand black speculum

Swift and erratic flyersSwift and erratic flyers

Blue-Winged TealBlue-Winged Teal

Small Duck, less Small Duck, less than 1 lb. 12-16 in.than 1 lb. 12-16 in.

Gray with black Gray with black spotsspots

White crescent White crescent behind bill, white behind bill, white spot on flankspot on flank

Green speculumGreen speculum Whistling peepWhistling peep

PintailPintail

2-2.5lbs2-2.5lbs Long neck, white Long neck, white

extends from neck extends from neck to bellyto belly

Bill bluish with black Bill bluish with black stripe down middlestripe down middle

WhistlesWhistles Buff, green Buff, green

speculum, white speculum, white edgeedge

Elongated flight birdElongated flight bird

ShovelerShoveler

Male medium sized Male medium sized 1.25lbs1.25lbs

Cinnamon bodyCinnamon body Black spoon-Black spoon-

shaped bill shaped bill (spoonbill)(spoonbill)

Middle coverts blueMiddle coverts blue Greater coverts Greater coverts

whitewhite

ShovelerShoveler

Flight head lowFlight head low Speculum Speculum

iridescent greeniridescent green

Wood duckWood duck

Medium sizedMedium sized Eyes redEyes red Short multi-Short multi-

colored billcolored bill Female: Female:

distinctive white distinctive white eye ringeye ring

Wood ducksWood ducks

Voice- squeal, Voice- squeal, variety of whistlesvariety of whistles

Head held highHead held high Large square tailLarge square tail White bellyWhite belly

GadwallGadwall

Medium-sizedMedium-sized Gray-brownGray-brown White bellyWhite belly White speculum White speculum

(only puddle (only puddle duck)duck)

American WidgeonAmerican Widgeon

White crownWhite crown Green eye maskGreen eye mask Green fading to Green fading to

black speculumblack speculum White middle and White middle and

greater covertsgreater coverts White coverts and White coverts and

belly obvious in belly obvious in flightflight

Other puddle ducks Other puddle ducks

Mollted duckMollted duck Mexican duckMexican duck Tree DuckTree Duck American cootAmerican coot Black duckBlack duck