Ducks are domestic and wild. Wild ducks, in turn, are divided into different "families", and one of them is river ducks.
General characteristics of river ducks
Perhaps, one cannot find in our Fatherland a person who would never in his life meet this bird on his way. River ducks in the vastness of Russia and neighboring countries live in large numbers. In the summer they “graze” on ponds densely overgrown with reeds, and in autumn and spring they send greetings from the heavenly expanses…
River ducks have one fundamental feature that distinguishes them from other wild species of ducks (eg diving ducks). They do not like to dive completely, but only lightly dip into the water in search of prey (aquatic plankton, invertebrates, all kinds of grass, etc.). And that is why they never live at depth, choosing shallow places with lush vegetation on the banks, where you can hide in case of emergency. In the same place - in the thickets, or even in the surrounding agricultural fields - these birds prefer to spend the night and make nests.
As for their appearance, drakes traditionally make a much more spectacular impression than females, which are "painted" in the color of nature and often indistinguishable in a grayish-greenish landscape. But in flight, river ducks - andladies and gentlemen - all as one handsome! They take off from the ground quickly, without a takeoff run, almost vertically, and even from below you can clearly see how long their neck is and how big their wings are…
There are many types of river ducks. The most famous are mallard, gray duck, wigeon, cracked teal and whistle, shoveler and pintail.
Mallard
This wild river duck is the largest (weighs from 800 g to 2 kg) and the most numerous among the "colleagues". All hunters know it very well and dream of getting it as a trophy.
The Mallard is an example of the classic wild duck. You could say it's a standard. The body shape of mallards is streamlined, and the neck is somewhat shorter than that of representatives of other species. The bird's wings are powerful, but not very long. Just the kind a first-class flyer should have. The mallard is indeed able to stay in the air for a long time. The tail of a duck is relatively short and tapers towards the tip. The beak is flattened, equipped with special teeth on the sides, which are actually a filter (let water through and retain plankton).
Female mallard "dressed" inconspicuously. Her “toilet” is dominated by brown and reddish shades. But the drake is not averse to flaunting an outfit. The combination of brown, gray and black colors in its plumage is striking. A white border along each feather creates a flowy feel. And the mother-of-pearl green head and bright yellow beak and paws effectively complement the overall picture.
Like other species of wild river ducks, mallards usually settle in densereservoirs overgrown with reeds. They can often be seen on city ponds - these birds get used to humans quickly and feed with pleasure from his hands.
They fly to warmer climes (North Africa, Asia Minor or China) in September-October, leaving their homeland in huge flocks of thousands of individuals. And they come back in small companies - only ten to fifteen ducks.
Gray duck
I wonder what is the name of a river duck that looks faded, even if we are talking about males? Gray - you can't think of a better name!
Only in this species of ducks, the representatives of the male half practically do not differ in appearance from their companions, which, by the way, look like mallard females, only a little more yellowish. The only thing that allows you to distinguish between females and males is the black uppertail and undertail of the latter, as well as its grayish sides and back. But the heads of both are brown.
Grey ducks are somewhat smaller than mallards. They live in roughly the same conditions. In some regions they are "guests" of the Red Book.
Sviaz
The river duck is a medium-sized bird. It differs from other species by its “piercingly” white belly, for which it is sometimes called “white belly” by the people. Also noteworthy is her very short beak.
Females look like gray ducks, but have blackish-brown “mirrors” on their wings. The male has a reddish-brown head with a gorgeous "golden" forehead.
Drakes "talk" with a shrill whistle. And not only when they fly across the sky in a flock, but also when they sit on the water - five meters from each other. And their companions only hoarsely croak in response.
Hunters often mistake wigeon duck for redhead pochard, but these specific sounds will not fool anyone.
Teal Whistle
Teal Whistle is the smallest river duck (maximum weight - 450 g). It is also distinguished by its fast and maneuverable behavior in the air. Flocks of whistlers can make such synchronized turns that any master will envy. The trills of males emitted at the same time (melodic “trink-trink-trink”) are carried over very long distances. And females can only quack briefly.
Cavaliers differ from ladies and outwardly. The drake has a brown-red head, decorated with a wide "ribbon" of green color from the back of the head to the very eyes. On the tail, the male whistle has a yellowish-white area, and a white stripe on the shoulder. Females are characterized by a discreet gray color.
On overgrown ponds, this tiny duck appears with the first warmth - as soon as the ice melts. It is noteworthy that the male forever abandons his "wife" at the very moment when she begins to hatch their common chicks.
River cracker duck: features
Similar to its fellow teal-crackling whistle, which is often called a snorer, shirkunk or just a cracker among the people. It is slightly larger than the smallest river duck, but is much rarer.
The female crackling makes almost the same sounds as the female teal whistler - that issquawks briefly. And the drake screams with a crackling voice (hence the name).
The main difference between males and females is that in males, the wings have an ash-gray color on top, and the plumage as a whole is lighter. At the same time, the head of the drake is brownish-reddish. On it, like the teal-whistle, there is a strip from the back of the head to the eyes. Only it is not green, but bright white.
Ducks are distinguished by a modest gray color that is not conspicuous.
An interesting detail from the life of cracklings: during the mating season, grooms are in full swing not only for females of their own species, but also for brides from other "clans". Even for much larger mallards.
Short-leg duck
The name of the broad-legged river duck already speaks of its main feature - a wide, spade-shaped beak. It is clearly visible even when the bird is in the sky. By the way, shovelers fly slowly, as if they feel uncomfortable in the air. The head is tilted slightly, showing their nose.
Males of this species of birds can be called the most beautiful of all wild river ducks. They have a dark green head and upper neck, which contrast effectively with the dazzling white "collar", red belly and sides. The front part of the wings of males is blue, which successfully complements the “suit”. The eyes of the "macho" are bright yellow, and the "boots" are piercing orange. He speaks in a low, nasal voice, saying something like “seok-soon.”
The female broad-bearer is “dressed” more modestly, but also tastefully. The main tones of her plumage are brown and red. It is considered almost the most careless river duck, showing amazing carelessness. Her favorite "words" are "piit, piit" in rhythmic tempo.
Pintail
The species of river duck pintail also deserved its name due to its physical features. The tails of males resemble an awl. Drakes are much larger than females. They have a long white neck. Dazzling white they also have a goiter and the lower part of the carcass.
It is impossible to confuse the pintail with the gray "wife" of the male duck even in the dark. He “says” very melodicly, and his “frue” is carried over quite long distances. The female can only quietly quack in response…
The natural world is amazing and diverse, and wild river ducks are not only an object of hunting desires, but also beautiful birds, with their interesting features, cute habits and funny habits.
