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Search Britannica Click here to search Search Britannica Click here to search Login Subscribe Subscribe Home Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos duck Table of Contents duck Table of Contents Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics Images For Students duck summary Quizzes A Little Bird Told Me Animal Factoids Ultimate Animals Quiz Animal Group Names Ultimate Bird Trivia Quiz Read Next 7 More Domestic Animals and Their Wild Ancestors Why Do Animals Have Tails? 11 Questions About Birds Answered 8 Birds That Can’t Fly Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World Discover How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S. State Have? 26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History History of Technology Timeline 9 Noteworthy Bog Bodies (And What They Tell Us) Feliz Día de los Muertos What Is Known (and Not Known) About the Bermuda Triangle Timeline of the American Revolution Home Science Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates Birds Animals & Nature DUCK bird Actions Cite Share Give Feedback External Websites Print Cite Share Feedback External Websites Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 21, 2023 • Article History Table of Contents duck See all media Category: Animals & Nature Related Topics: dabbling duck whistling duck perching duck diving duck Aylesbury ...(Show more) See all related content → duck, any of various species of relatively small, short-necked, large-billed waterfowl. In true ducks—i.e., those classified in the subfamily Anatinae in the waterfowl family Anatidae—the legs are placed rearward, as in swans, rather than forward, as in geese. The result is a distinctive waddling gait. Most true ducks, including a few inaccurately called geese (e.g., sheldgeese) by reason of size and build, also differ from swans and true geese in the following characteristics: males (drakes) and females (hens or ducks) exhibit some degree of differentiation in plumage and in call, males molt twice annually, females lay large clutches of smooth-shelled rather than rough-shelled eggs, and both sexes have overlapping scales on the skin of the leg. The wild mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is believed to be the ancestor of all domestic ducks, and it has undergone numerous crossbreedings and mutations since it was first domesticated in China between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago. Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata), an Asian perching duck. mallard wigeon northern shoveler (Anas clypeata) All true ducks, except those in the shelduck group (the tribe Tadornini) and sea ducks (the tribes Mergini and Somateriini), mature in the first year and pair only for the season—unlike the late-maturing, life-mating true geese and swans. Ducks are generally divided into three major groups, dabbling (shallow-water), diving, and perching ducks, based on their characteristic behaviours. The mallard, a typical dabbling duck (any of about 38 species of Anas and about 5 species in other genera), is one of the most popular game birds. Britannica Quiz Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz northern pintail (Anas acuta) Pintails, teals, shovelers, and wigeons are also dabbling ducks classified in Anas, in addition to the gadwall (A. strepera) and the black ducks (A. sparsa, A. rubripes, and A. superciliosa). Perching ducks such as the muscovy (Cairina moschata), the wood duck (Aix sponsa), and the mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) have long claws and are the most arboreal of ducks, often roosting in trees. The diving ducks (or sea ducks) include the greatest number of marine species, such as eiders (which are variously classified as members of the tribe Mergini or placed in a separate tribe Somateriini) and scoters (Melanitta), but they also include primarily freshwater species such as mergansers (Mergus and Lophodytes), the ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris), and the pochards (Aythya and Netta), including the scaups (A. marila, A. affinis, and A. novaeseelandiae) and the canvasback (A. valisineria). The redhead (A. americana), the goldeneye (Bucephala clangula and B. islandica), and the bufflehead (B. albeola) are diving ducks that live in fresh and salt water, depending on the season. Members of the stifftail group, typified by the blue-billed ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), are highly aquatic diving ducks characterized by legs set far toward the rear of the body. The whistling ducks (Dendrocygna), also called tree ducks, are not true ducks but are more closely related to geese and swans. Ducks that are not included in those larger groups are the freckled duck (Stictonetta naevosa) and the torrent duck (Merganetta armata), as well as the shelducks (Tadorna) and the steamer ducks (Tachyeres). All ducks, geese, and swans belong to the family Anatidae. For a more detailed classification, see anseriform. Duck raising is practiced on a limited scale in most countries, usually as a small-farm enterprise, although large flocks are bred in some areas of England, the Netherlands, and the United States. The American Poultry Association lists 17 domesticated breeds, divided into four classes: heavy, medium, lightweight, and bantam. The White Pekin, originally from China, is the most widely raised duck in the United States, because it is meaty, fast growing, and prodigious in egg production. Duck feathers are also of some value, though they have been largely replaced by synthetics. Eiderdown, the down feathers of the common eider (Somateria mollissima), are still of wide commercial value for use in luxury quilts and pillows. The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty. whistling duck Table of Contents whistling duck Table of Contents Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics Images Quizzes A Little Bird Told Me Animal Factoids Ultimate Animals Quiz Animal Group Names Ultimate Bird Trivia Quiz Related Questions * What are the basic functional systems of animals? Read Next 8 Birds That Can’t Fly Do Birds Pee? Why Do Animals Have Tails? Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World 11 Questions About Birds Answered Discover Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution 6 Animals We Ate Into Extinction 7 of History's Most Notorious Serial Killers 10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci Timeline of the American Revolution The 6 Deadliest Earthquakes Since 1950 Home Science Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates Birds Animals & Nature WHISTLING DUCK bird Actions Cite Share Give Feedback External Websites Print Cite Share Feedback External Websites Also known as: Dendrocygna, tree duck Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Article History Table of Contents lesser whistling duck See all media Category: Animals & Nature also called: tree duck ...(Show more) Related Topics: duck fulvous tree duck Dendrocygnini ...(Show more) See all related content → whistling duck, (genus Dendrocygna), also called tree duck, any of eight species of long-legged and long-necked ducks that utter sibilant cries and may make whirring wing sounds in flight; these distinctive ducks are separated from other members of the family Anatidae (order Anseriformes) as a tribe Dendrocygnini. Whistling ducks are sociable though aggressive. The sexes are nearly identical in plumage and behaviour, which includes mutual preening in some species. Whistling ducks fly with slow wingbeats and legs trailing. They sometimes perch in trees or on posts and walk readily with an upright stance. Although several species nest in hollow trees, ground sites are more often used. Drakes help build the nest and rear the young; in some species they also share in incubation. fulvous tree duck Typical of the tribe is the fulvous tree duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), with isolated populations in North and South America, India, and Africa—a most unusual world distribution and, remarkably, without geographic variation. It is mallard-sized, with a rusty brown body, a white rump, and creamy stripes on the flanks. Britannica Quiz Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy. Load Next Page Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "duck". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/animal/duck. Accessed 6 November 2023. Copy Citation Share Share to social media Facebook Twitter URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/duck External Websites * Animal Corner - Duck * The Spruce - Fun Facts About Ducks * A-Z Animals - Duck Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. * duck - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11) * duck - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "duck". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Sep. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/animal/duck. Accessed 6 November 2023. Copy Citation Share Share to social media Facebook Twitter URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/duck External Websites * Animal Corner - Duck * The Spruce - Fun Facts About Ducks * A-Z Animals - Duck Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. * duck - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11) * duck - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up) Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "whistling duck". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Jan. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/animal/whistling-duck. Accessed 6 November 2023. Copy Citation Share Share to social media Facebook Twitter URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/whistling-duck External Websites * TheCornellLab of Ornithology - All About Birds - Black-bellied Whistling-Duck * Birdsinbackyards - Plumed Whistling-Duck verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "whistling duck". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Jan. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/animal/whistling-duck. Accessed 6 November 2023. Copy Citation Share Share to social media Facebook Twitter URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/whistling-duck External Websites * TheCornellLab of Ornithology - All About Birds - Black-bellied Whistling-Duck * Birdsinbackyards - Plumed Whistling-Duck Update Privacy Preferences