Waterfowl

Table of Contents

    List of Tables

      Ducks

      Ducks live in a wide variety of wetland habitats including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and coastal areas around the world.

      Neck profile

      Ducks generally have relatively short to medium-length necks compared to geese or swans, with dabbling ducks like the mallard and teal featuring compact, sturdy necks suited for surface feeding, while some species such as the northern pintail possess noticeably longer and more slender necks that give them an elegant profile.

      Duck neck profile
      Duck typeNeck profile
      Mallardshort and thick
      Common TealVery short, slim

      Diet

      Ducks are omnivores that mainly eat aquatic plants, seeds, insects, small fish, snails, and crustaceans.

      Geese

      Geese primarily live in wetlands, lakes, rivers, marshes, and grassy fields near water, where they graze on grass, aquatic plants, grains, and seeds.

      Neck length

      Geese have noticeably longer necks than ducks.

      Geese neck profile
      Goose typeNeck profile
      Canada GooseLong and thick
      Greylag Gooserobust, often held in a gentle S-curve