Duck
BirdWaterfowlOmnivore
Male mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in breeding plumage.
Image: Acarpentier, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Overview
"Duck" is a common name for many small-to-medium waterfowl in the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and swans. Ducks are found on fresh and salt water across most of the world. This page is a group-level overview; the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is used as a familiar reference species and is the wild ancestor of most domestic ducks. Not all ducks share the same habitat, diet, or behaviour.
Habitat & Range
Ducks occupy a wide range of wetland and aquatic habitats including ponds, lakes, rivers, marshes, estuaries, and coasts. Many species are migratory, moving seasonally between breeding and wintering areas, while others are resident year-round. Ranges vary by species and region, and some ducks tolerate urban parks and managed waterways well.
Diet
Most ducks are omnivores with diets that vary by species and feeding style. "Dabbling" ducks such as the mallard up-end at the surface to feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates, while "diving" ducks submerge to forage deeper. Diet shifts seasonally with the availability of plants and invertebrates. Feeding wild ducks bread is discouraged by wildlife organisations because it is poor nutrition for them.
Behavior
Ducks are generally social birds, often seen in groups or large flocks outside the breeding season. Many species show strong sexual dimorphism, with brightly coloured males and more camouflaged females, especially during the breeding season. Behaviour varies widely across the group, including courtship displays, seasonal migration, and the famous early following behaviour of ducklings toward their mother.
Human Interaction & Conservation
People interact with ducks as wildlife in wetlands and parks, as quarry in regulated hunting, and as domesticated poultry kept for eggs and meat. Conservation status varies by species — many ducks are common, but some are threatened by wetland loss and other pressures, and status should be checked against current IUCN Red List data. Wild ducks are wildlife, not pets; domestic ducks are a separate, domesticated context.
Appearance & Recognition
Ducks are typically compact waterbirds with a broad, flattened bill, webbed feet set well back on the body for swimming, and dense, water-repellent plumage kept waterproof with oil from a preen gland. The mallard drake is a familiar example, with a glossy green head, white neck-ring, and curled tail feathers, while the female is mottled brown for camouflage. Appearance varies enormously across the many duck species.
Similar Animals
Ducks share the family Anatidae with geese and swans, which are generally larger and longer-necked. The goose is a close relative covered separately. Some unrelated diving birds, such as grebes and coots, are sometimes mistaken for ducks but belong to different families.
More photos of the duck
A male and female mallard, showing strong sexual dimorphism.
Image: Richard Bartz (Makro Freak), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions — Duck
Are domestic ducks the same as wild ducks?
Should I feed bread to wild ducks?
Why are male and female ducks coloured so differently?
Sources and further reading
Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.
- UniversityAnimal Diversity Web — Anas platyrhynchos (mallard) — University of Michigan species account
- ReferenceEncyclopaedia Britannica — Animals reference — Editor-reviewed encyclopedia overview entries