Dabbling Ducks (sub-family - Anatinae) consist of fifty to sixty species of duck which include Gadwall, Garganey, Mallard, Pintails, Shovelers, Teal, and Wigeon as well as many other ducks.
These ducks get their name because they feed in shallow water by dabbling or upending on the surface of the water as opposed to diving underwater for their food. Their legs are placed further forward on their body, compared to a diving duck, so they can comfortably walk and sometimes feed on land.
Mallard, Pintail, Teal, and Wigeon are mainly vegetarians, eating aquatic plants including leaves, seeds, and shoots in or near the water. The Shoveler has a spatulate beak which allows it to suck in water as it swims and filter any food particles before squirting the remaining water from the sides of its beak.
Dabbling Ducks can easily take to flight straight from the water, when compared to Diving Ducks, which have to run across the water in order to take off. Northern Hemisphere Dabbling Ducks are highly migratory and strong fliers.
Click on the Duck photographs to enlarge them or if you click on the Duck's name then it will take you to another page with information, more photos, and sometimes a video of that particular Duck.
Click on the Duck photographs to enlarge them or if you click on the Duck's name then it will take you to another page with information, more photos, and sometimes a video of that particular Duck.