dabbling duck

dabbling duck
any of numerous shallow-water ducks, esp. of the genus Anas, that typically feed by upending and dabbling (contrasted with diving duck).

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Any of about 43 species (tribe Anatini; including 38 species in genus Anas) of ducks found worldwide, chiefly on inland waters and most commonly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Strongly migratory, dabbling ducks include some of the world's finest game birds: the black duck, the gadwall, the garganey, the mallard, the pintail (perhaps the world's most abundant waterfowl), the shoveler, the teals, and the wigeons. They feed mainly on water plants, which they obtain by tipping-up in shallows and infrequently by diving. They often forage near the shore for seeds and insects. They have a flat, broad bill, float high in the water, and are swift fliers. Males are slightly larger and more boldly coloured than females.

Common, or northern, pintail (Anas acuta)

© Lawrence E. Naylor, The National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers

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bird
also called  Dipping, Surface-feeding, Pond, River, or Freshwater Duck,  
 any of about 38 species of Anas and about 5 species in other genera, constituting the tribe Anatini, subfamily Anatinae, family Anatidae (q.v.; order Anseriformes). They feed mainly on water plants, which they obtain by tipping-up in shallows—uncommonly by diving (with opened wings); they often forage near the shore for seeds and insects. The bill is flat and broad, the hindtoe unlobed. Dabbling ducks float high in the water and are swift fliers, leaping upward on noisy wings before attaining level flight, usually in compact flocks.

      Occurring worldwide, chiefly on inland waters, dabbling ducks are most common in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and are strongly migratory. Males typically have bold plumage patterns except during the postbreeding flightless period, when they resemble the drab females. Hens tend to be slightly smaller than drakes and usually are more vocal—quacking frequently and loudly. The nest, a grass-lined hollow in thick cover by the waterside, usually is blanketed with down from the hen's breast. She may lay in more than one nest—of her own kind or of another species. The hen takes charge of incubating the single clutch of 6–12 eggs for 20–25 days, and she alone rears and protects the downy ducklings. Young birds can fly in about two weeks, and they mature in their first year.

 The tribe includes some of the world's finest game birds: the black duck (Anas rubripes), much sought after by hunters; the mallard (q.v.); the gadwall (Anas strepera); the garganey (A. querquedula); the pintail (A. acuta; see photograph—>), perhaps the world's most abundant waterfowl; the shoveler (Anas, or Spatula, clypeata), the “spoonbill” of hunters; the teals, races of Anas crecca and other species; the wigeons, Anas, or Mareca, americana and A., or M., penelope.
 

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • dabbling duck — dab′bling duck′ n. orn any shallow water duck, esp. of the genus Anas, that feeds by upending and dabbling (contrasted with diving duck) …   From formal English to slang

  • dabbling duck — noun any of numerous shallow water ducks that feed by upending and dabbling • Syn: ↑dabbler • Ant: ↑diving duck • Hypernyms: ↑duck …   Useful english dictionary

  • dabbling duck — noun A duck that feeds by dabbling in shallow water including the mallard and teal …   Wiktionary

  • dabbling duck — noun a duck which typically feeds by dabbling and upending in fresh water, such as the mallard or teal …   English new terms dictionary

  • dabbling duck — /ˈdæblɪŋ dʌk/ (say dabling duk) noun any of various ducks of the tribe Anatini, such as teal, widgeon, shovelers, etc., that feed by dabbling on the surface of the water or up ending to reach aquatic vegetation. Compare diving duck …  

  • dabbling duck — noun see dabbler …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Duck — This article is about the bird. For duck as a food, see Duck (food). For other meanings, see Duck (disambiguation). Duckling redirects here. For other uses, see Duckling (disambiguation). Ducks …   Wikipedia

  • duck — duck1 /duk/, n., pl. ducks, (esp. collectively for 1, 2) duck. 1. any of numerous wild or domesticated web footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, esp. of the genus Anas and allied genera, characterized by abroad, flat bill, short legs, and …   Universalium

  • Diving duck — Diving ducks Greater Scaup, Aythya marila Scientific classification Kingdom: Animali …   Wikipedia

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