Ducks are domestic and wild.Wild, in turn, are divided into different "family", and one of them - dabbling ducks.
General characteristics of dabbling ducks
Perhaps not find in our homeland a man who would never in my life met on his way this bird.Dabbling ducks on open spaces of Russia and neighboring countries live in huge quantities.In the summer they "graze" on the thickly overgrown with reeds ponds, and fall and spring convey greetings from the heavenly spaces ...
Dabbling ducks have one fundamental feature that distinguishes them from other wild species of ducks (eg diving).They do not like to dive in full but only slightly dipped into the water in search of prey (water plankton, invertebrates, grass, and so all. D.).And that's why never live at depths shallow picking places with lush vegetation on the banks, where you can hide in case anything happens.There - in the bush, or even in the surrounding agricultural fields - these birds prefer to nest and spend the night.
As for their appearance, the drakes usually produce far more spectacular experience than females who are "painted" by the color of nature and often indistinguishable among the gray-green landscape.But dabbling ducks in flight - and the ladies and gentlemen - as one handsome!They are off the ground quickly, without a run, almost vertically, and even below clearly shows what a long neck, and they have large wings ...
species of dabbling ducks, there are many.The most famous - a mallard, gray duck, wigeon, garganey and teal, shoveler and northern pintail.
Mallard
This wild river duck is the overall (weighing from 800 g to 2 kg), and the largest among the "colleagues."She knows all the hunters and dreaming to get a trophy.
Mallard - is an example of classic wild duck.We can say the standard.The shape of the body in mallards streamlined, and the neck is slightly shorter than that of other species.Wings bird has powerful, but not very long.Just the kind that should be at the first class flyers.Mallard really able to last long in the air.The tail is relatively short at the ducks and tapers to a point.The beak is flattened, equipped with special teeth on each side, which are actually filter (pass water and retain plankton).
a female mallard "wearing" flashy.In her "closet" is dominated by brown and reddish hues.But Drake is not averse to show off the dress.The combination of brown, gray and black in its plumage is striking.White bordered along each feather pattern creates a feeling of flowing.A pearl-green head and bright yellow beak and legs effectively complement the overall picture.
Like other species of wild river ducks, mallards tend to settle in the densely reeded ponds.They can often be seen on city ponds - to man these birds get used quickly and happily feed from his hand.
In warm countries (North Africa, Asia Minor and China) fly in September and October, leaving home with huge flocks of thousands of birds.A return back to the small companies - only ten or fifteen ducks.
Gadwall
Interestingly, the name of the river duck that looks bleak, even if it is a male?Gray - a better name, and you can imagine!
only this species of ducks representatives male half do not differ in appearance from their companions, who, by the way, are similar to the female mallard, only slightly more yellowish.The only thing that allows you to still distinguish between males and females - is black and undertail nadhvoste the latter, as well as its greyish side and back.But the head of both - brown.
Gray duck several smaller mallards.They live in about the same condition.Some regions are "lodgers" Red Book.
Wigeon Wigeon Duck River - is a medium-sized bird.It differs from other types of "piercing" -White abdomen, for which he is sometimes called by the people "parakeet auklet."Also, attention is drawn to its very short beak.
Females resemble gray ducks, but the wings are blackish-brown "mirror".The male red-brown head with a luxurious "gold" forehead.
Drakes "talk" with shrill whistles.And not only when they are flying across the sky in a flock, but when they sit on the water - five meters from each other.And their only companion hoarse croak in response.
Most hunters take the duck, wigeon for Pochard, but these particular sounds will not let anyone fool.
Teal
Teal - is the smallest river duck (maximum weight - 450 g).Distinguished as quick and agile behavior in the air.Flocks whistle can fabricate such synchronous twists that will envy any master.Published with the trills of males (melodic "trink-trink-trink") are carried over very long distances.A female can only briefly quack.
differ from the ladies and gentlemen in appearance.At Drake's brown-red head, adorned with a wide "ribbon" green from the back of the head to the eyes.On the tail Teal male is yellowish white portion, and a white stripe on the shoulder.Females also are characterized by discreet gray.
overgrown ponds this tiny duck appears with the first warm - as soon as the ice has come.It is noteworthy that all the male throws his "wife" at the very moment when it is taken to hatch their chicks common.
River duck Treskun: features
like his fellow svistunka garganey, which the people often referred to hrapunkom, or just Treskunov shirkunkom.It is slightly larger than the smallest dabbling ducks, but much rarer.
female Treskunov produces almost the same sounds as the female Teal - ie short grunts.A shouting duck crackling voice (hence the name).
main difference between males from females - in males the wings are ash-top sizuyu coloring and plumage as a whole - lighter.This head is reddish-brown drake.She, like Teal, has a bar on the back of the head to the eyes.Only it is not green, and bright white.
Ducks differ modest gray, inconspicuous.
interesting detail of life Treskunov: during the mating season in full grooms uhlestyvat not only for females of their own species, but also for brides from other "clans."Even the much larger mallards.
duck shoveler
name river shoveler ducks already talking about its main features - the broad, shovel-shaped beak.It can be clearly seen even when the bird is in the sky.By the way, shoveler flying slowly, as if uncomfortable feeling in the air.Head slightly tilted, showing his nose.
males of this species of birds can be called the most beautiful of all wild river ducks.They have dark green head and upper neck, which effectively contrasts with the dazzling white "collar" red belly and sides.The front part of the wings of males - blue, which successfully complements the "suit".Eyes "macho" bright yellow, and "boots" - piercing orange.He speaks in a low nasal voice, saying something like "juice-sung."
a female-shoveler "dressed" more modest, but still tasteful.Basic tone of her tail - brown and red.It is considered almost the most carefree river duck, showing astonishing negligence.Her favorite "words", "the poet, the poet", published in a rhythmic pace.
Pintail
View dabbling ducks Pintail also earned its name because of the physical characteristics.Tails males resemble an awl.Drakes is much larger than females.They have a long white neck.The dazzling white, they also crop and the lower part of the carcass.
With greyish "wife" of the male pintail duck can not be confused in the dark."He says," it's very melodic, and his "FRY" is carried on a fairly long distances.Females also can only silently in response pokryakivat ...
amazing world of nature and diversity, and wild river duck - it's not just an object of desire of hunting, but also the beautiful bird, with its interesting features, nice and fun habits habits.
