Community Magazine March 2016

Exploring the Wild World of Animals EFRAIM HARARI Ducks are medium-sized aquatic birds that are related to swans and geese. Ducks, however, are smaller in size, and differ from swans and geese in their tendency to dive into the water in order to catch food. Overall, there are 150 different species of duck; all are part of the bird family Anatidae . THE DUCK D ucks come in a variety of contrasting colors, from bright and beautiful to dull and drab. Colors include bright greens, striking bronzes, and beautiful purples, as well as boring grays, dull whites, and dreary browns. The male duck is usually more brightly colored than the female. The duck swims very gracefully in water, but on land it walks with a comical and clumsy waddle. It is an excellent flier; some ducks can fly as fast as sixty miles per hour. The duck has thick, soft feathers which are made water-repellent by a film of oil that the duck, using its bill, presses out of a gland located just above its tail. Water cannot penetrate this film, and it prevents the duck from becoming wet and cold. A duck’s feathers are so waterproof that even when the duck dives underwater, its downy under-layer of feathers will stay completely dry. Ducks are omnivorous birds, and each species has its own dietary requirements. They are able to feed in and out of water. Somewill dive underwater to catch fish, others feed in corn fields and marshes, and others eat along the banks of lakes and rivers. In general, ducks will feed on aquatic plants, seeds, nuts, berries, insects, worms, leeches, frogs, shell fish, salamanders, and small fish. Ducks are found in both seawater and fresh water. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and to eat such diverse foods is what makes the duck one of the most widespread birds in the world; they are found on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica. The duck, however, is very vulnerable to its many predators. Predators include foxes, wolves, large fish, and crocodiles. Ducks are also hunted regularly by humans. Because of its calmand quiet nature, it often takes a long time for the duck to react to surrounding noise, which makes it an easy target for those wishing to attack it. Ducks are farmed all over the world for their meat and eggs. They are also farmed for their feathers (known as down), which are most commonly used in bedding such as quilts and pillows. The mallard is the most common and familiar duck in the world. The mallard’s yellow bill, white neck ring, rich chestnut breast, and green head distinguish it from all other ducks. The femalehasmottledbrownplumage, with awhitish tail.Mallards prefer calm, shallow waters, but can be found in almost any body of water across Asia, Europe, and North America. The females quack loudly and often, while the males just make a single, faint sound. Mallards grow to about twenty-six inches in length, weigh up to three pounds, and can live up to ten years in the wild. The wood duck is one of the most beautiful ducks in the world. It has purple wings and a metallic-green head marked with white lines. Unlike most ducks, wood ducks nest in hollow trees. They live in wooded swamps, marshes, and small lakes. They are one of the few duck species with claws; thus they can grip bark and sit atop of branches. They build their nests directly over the water, though at times their nests can be up to onemile away from thewater. After hatching, the ducklings jump down from the nest tree and make their way to the pond or lake. These ducklings are able to jump from heights of up to 300 feet! THE MALLARD DUCK THE WOOD DUCK 90 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE