Wild Dabbling Duck Breeds – Getting your Ducks in a Row

In Part 3 of this series, we are going to get introduced to a few dabbling duck breeds.
Dabbling ducks can generally be both domestic ducks and wild ducks. This article, however, is more about the wild dabbling ducks.

Dabbling Ducks

Dabbling ducks are classified as freshwater ducks. Ducks that like to paddle around in shallow fresh waters such as those of freshwater dams, lakes, estuaries and ponds. They like to feed in the shallow waters on various plant life, insects and may even occasionally take a small freshwater fish or shellfish.

They do not like to dive and tend to not keep their head in the water for too long. As long they can just dip their heads in to get the food source then they will get it.

They are also known as puddle ducks and they will usually swim with their tail out of the water. When they take flight, unlike diving or sea ducks, they will almost vault out of the water instead of skimming over it.

They wild dabbling ducks are excellent strong fliers and the ones that are found in the Northern parts of the world are highly migratory. They will fly South for the cold winter months to find a more suitable climate for paddling in.

These birds usually have broad, flat bills and are very noisy ducks. In fact, they are usually heard well before they are seen.

Dabbling Duck Breeds

There are eleven or more breeds of dabbling duck that are found in North America.
They are frequently hunted from around January the 16th right up until April the 15th in the USA.
Although there are strict rules and regulations governing these hunts some ducks’ populations are declining.

The biggest decline of all is due to the loss of the wetlands that are being overtaken by humans and pollution.
Most dabblers love these wetlands as they provide the ducks with various wetland plants for their diets as well as nesting areas.

For instance, the Wetlands in Maryland provide some of the most important wetlands used by waterfowl as a winter habitat.

A lot of farmers that have land bordering wetlands have turned their attention to preserving it in order to attract waterfowl to them. There is a lot of business these days in animal sanctuaries that attract tourists this adds a revenue stream for these farms. Especially if they can attract rare species of waterfowl to their domain.

The preservation of our wildlife plays a very important part in our Eco-system as most every creature has a purpose. Upsetting the balance has a rippling effect on the Eco-system which us humans need to survive.

American Black Duck

American Wigeon

Blue-Winged Teal

Gadwall

Wood Duck

If you are really serious about keeping duck, then stick with us as we delve into the rewarding world of becoming a duck keeper! I hope you get to read some more of our helpful articles.
Be sure to read Part 1 through to Part 2 of our “Getting your ducks in a row” series.