Ducks are birds. Ducks are also called 'Waterfowls' because they are normally found in places where there is water like ponds, streams and rivers. Ducks are related to Geese and Swans.

Ducks are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as loons (an aquatic bird found in many parts of North America and northern Europe) or grebes (freshwater diving birds) and coots (medium-sized water birds which are members of the Rail Bird family).

Many species of duck are temporarily flightless while moulting.

Ducks seek out protected habitats with a good food supply during this period. They usually moult before migrating.

Ducks have webbed feet, which are designed for swimming. Their webbed feet act like paddles for the ducks.

Because their feet are webbed, they tend to 'waddle' instead of walking straight. Ducks cannot feel the cold in their feet even when swimming in icy cold water. The reason for this is because their feet have no nerves or blood vessels in them.

In the photo on the left, the arrow indicates how the duck uses its webbed feet to paddle itself through the water.

The webbed feet are powerful and allows the duck to swim rather fast.

Ducks keep clean by preening themselves. Ducks do this by putting their heads in funny positions and putting their beaks into their body.

Ducks preen themselves very often. Preening also removes parasites, removes scales which cover newly sprouting feathers and also involves the removal of spreading oil over clean feathers.

A duck has water-proof feathers. There is a special gland called the 'Preen Gland' near the duck's tail.

This tiny gland produces oil which the duck uses to coat its feathers.

The duck picks up the oil with its head and beak, and then smears it all over its body to make the outer feathers waterproof.

Ducks are found in wetlands, marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes and oceans. This is because ducks love the water. Some species of ducks migrate or travel longs distances every year to breed.

Ducks usually 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.

Ducks are found everywhere in the world except the Antartica which is too cold for them.

The duck's mouth is called a beak or bill. It is usually broad and flat and has 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 beak comes in different shapes and sizes. The shape of the beak and body determines how the duck will hunt for its food.

Dabblers usually have shiny coloured patches on their wings.

The domestic ducks are dabblers too. They are descendents of the Mallards.

Dabbling ducks take off from the water in quick jumps.

A female duck is called a 'HEN', they are identified by their very-dull, brown feathers.

The females have dull-brown feathers so that they can hide from enemies and predators.

They can also camouflage themselves in their nests and also protect their young, so they are not just dull looking for no reason.

A male duck is called a 'DRAKE', you can identify the male duck by it's brightly coloured feathers.

They use these coloured feathers to attract the female ducks for mating.

Here's a beautifully coloured Drake with a purple plumage, shiny green head colouring, silvery white body and grey wings with blue markings.

Here is a male Duck and female Duck together, you can see the distinct difference in colours between them.

The males use their colourful plumage to attract females.

However, they will lose or molt their colourful feathers when the females are busy hatching the eggs.