Ducks have heavy bodies, short legs, and broad beaks. Their feathers are waterproof which allows them to swim.

The word “duck” is generally used to describe both the male and female bird. Actually, the word refers only to the female, and the male is called “drake”.

Ducks are usually divided into three groups : fresh water or river ducks, such as mallard, wood duck, teak an black duck, ducks that live on or by the sea, such as the eider duck, canvas back, and the scoter, and the fish-eating ducks, which dive under water to catch fish in their scissor like beaks.

Most ducks are migratory, moving from area to area with the seasons. The mallard, which is found in most regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, is a widely hunted game bird. Mallards are the ancestors of most domestic breeds.

Ducks feathers are often colorful. The mallard drake, for instance, is shiny green, whereas the canvasback has a brown neck and head, black beak, and gray back.

Some Asian ducks, such as the mandarin, have bright red and green patches. The eider duck has particularly soft feathers, called “down”, which are used for pillows, quilts and sleeping bags.

Ducks belong to the Anatidae family.