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With their distinctive body shape, webbed feet,
and ability to float on water,
ducks are some of our most easily recognized birds.
And like most birds, the males of the species are generally
the most colorful and easiest to identify.
There are 2 general categories of ducks:
puddle ducks and diving ducks.
Puddle ducks, also known as dabblers,
can be seen practically anywhere there's a puddle large enough
to land on,
even in the driest parts of the state.
As their name suggests, puddle ducks tend to feed in shallow water
where they can reach the bottom vegetation by tipping over
and extending their neck.
2 common puddle ducks are the Mallard, with its vibrant green head
and the Pintail with its long, graceful looking tail feathers.
The 2nd category is diving ducks.
These ducks are more adapted to larger, open bodies of water
and they are excellent swimmers.
Often seen in the waters off the Texas coast
or in larger lakes,
these ducks can dive 40 feet of more in search of food.
The Scaup and the Canvasback are a couple of common diving ducks.
Most ducks in Texas are migrant.
Typically they summer in cooler climates farther north
and spend the winter in Texas.
The migratory nature of these birds points to the importance
of preserving good habitat all along their migration path.
All wild species of ducks are considered migratory game birds
and as such are regulated by federal and state laws.
For more information about ducks and duck hunting,
visit us online and learn more about our wild things.
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