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Encyclopedia > Dabbling ducks
Dabbling Ducks
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Cape Teal (Anas capensis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily†: Anatinae
Genera

Pteronetta
Cairina
Aix
Lophonetta
Nettapus
Salvadorina
Anas
Callonetta
Chenonetta
Amazonetta

† See also Diving duck

The dabbling ducks are a group of ten genera and about 55 species of ducks, including some of the most familiar Northern Hemisphere species. They are in the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. The latter article should be referred to for an overview of this very large family. The dabbling ducks, together with the diving ducks make up the sub-family Anatinae.


This group of ducks is so named because its members feed mainly on vegetable matter by upending on the water surface, or grazing, and only rarely dive. These are mostly gregarious ducks of freshwater or estuaries. These birds are strong fliers and northern species are highly migratory. Compared to other types of duck, their legs are placed more towards the centre of their bodies. They walk well on land, and some species feed terrestrially.


The Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris, which used to be included among the dabbling ducks, is now classed as a diving duck.

  • Pteronetta
    • Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubi
  • Cairina
    • Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
    • White-winged Wood Duck Cairina scutulata
  • Lophonetta
    • Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides (South America)
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Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Missing image
Mallard_drake_(Anas_platyrhynchos)_swimming.jpg
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
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Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

  Results from FactBites:
 
Duck (538 words)
Duck is the common name for a number of types of bird in the family Anatidae.
Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, smaller than their relatives the swans or geese, found in both fresh and salt water.
Ducks should not be confused with several types of unrelated birds with similar forms, such as loons or divers, grebes, gallinules, and coots.
Ducks, Mallards & Wigeons (691 words)
Dabbling ducks have special plates called lamellae that are similar to a whale's baleen.
Ducks are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as loons or divers, grebes, gallinules, and coots.
All domestic ducks are descended from the wild Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, except Muscovy Ducks.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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