Ducks are domestic and wild. Wild, in turn, are divided into different "families", and one of them is river ducks.
General characteristics of river ducks
Perhaps it is impossible to find in our Fatherland a man who would never meet this bird in his life. River ducks in the vastness of Russia and neighboring countries live in huge numbers. In the summer, they "graze" on densely overgrown with ponds of water, and in the fall and spring, they send greetings from the heavens …
River ducks have one fundamental feature that distinguishes them from other wild species of ducks (for example, diving). They do not like to dive completely, but only slightly plunge into the water in search of prey (water plankton, invertebrates, all grass, etc.). And that is why they never live in depth, choosing shallow places with lush vegetation on the shores, where you can hide if something happens. In the same place - in the thickets, or even in the surrounding agricultural fields - these birds prefer to sleep and win nests.
As for their appearance, the drakes traditionally produce a much more spectacular impression than females that are “painted” in the color of nature and often indistinguishable among the grayish-green landscape. But in flight river ducks - both ladies and gentlemen - are all handsome as one! They come off the ground quickly, without running start, almost vertically, and even from below it is clearly visible how long their neck and what big wings …
There are many species of river ducks. The most famous are the mallard, the gray duck, the hench, the teal-cracker and the teal-whistle, the broad-nosed and the pintail.
Mallard
This wild river duck is the largest (weighs from 800 g to 2 kg) and the largest among the “colleagues”. All hunters are well aware of it and dream of getting it as a trophy.
Mallard is an example of a classic wild duck. You can say the standard. The body shape of the mallards is streamlined, and the neck is slightly shorter than that of other species. The wings of the bird are powerful, but not very long. Just the kind that a first-class flyer should have. Mallard is really able to stay in the air for a long time. The duck's tail is relatively short and tapers toward the tip. The beak is flattened, equipped on the sides with special teeth, which are actually a filter (they allow water to pass through and trap plankton).
The female mallard is “dressed” discreetly. Her “toilet” is dominated by brown and reddish hues. But the drake is not averse to flaunt an outfit. The combination of brown, gray and black in its plumage is striking. A white border along each feather creates the feeling of a flowing pattern. A 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 densely overgrown ponds. They can often be seen on city ponds - these birds get used to a person quickly and feed with pleasure from his hands.
In warm regions (North Africa, Asia Minor or China) fly away in September-October, leaving their homeland in huge flocks of thousands of individuals. And they return back by small companies - only ten to fifteen ducks.
Gray duck
I wonder what is the name of the river duck, which looks faded, even if we are talking about males? Gray - you can’t imagine 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 female mallards, only slightly more yellowish. The only thing that makes it possible to distinguish between females and males is the black nuhvoste and the euvnosti of the latter, as well as its grayish sides and back. But both have a brown head.
Gray ducks are slightly smaller than mallards. They live in about the same conditions. In some regions are "guests" of the Red Book.
Sviyaz
The river duck sviyaz is a medium-sized bird. It differs from other species by a “piercing” -white abdomen, for which it is sometimes called the “white-belly”. 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 chic “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 croak hoarsely in response.
Often hunters take the duck-wig for a red-headed dive, but these specific sounds will not let anyone fool you.
Teal Whistle
The Teal Whistle is the smallest river duck (maximum weight 450 g). It also differs in fast and maneuverable behavior in the air. Flocks of whistlers can make such synchronized turns that any master will envy. Trills of males published at the same time (melodious “trink-trink-trink”) are carried over very long distances. And females are only able to quack briefly.
The gentlemen differ from the ladies and externally. The drake has a brown-red head, decorated with a wide "ribbon" of green from the back of the head to the very eyes. On the tail, the male whistle has a yellowish-white area, and a white strip on the shoulder. Females are characterized by a discreet gray color.
In overgrown ponds, this tiny duck appears with the first heat - as soon as the ice melts. It is noteworthy that the male forever abandons his "spouse" at the very moment when she begins to hatch their common chicks.
Cracking river duck: features
It is similar to its fellow whistle-teal crackler, which is popularly called a snore, shirkun or simply cod. It is somewhat larger than the smallest river duck, but is much less common.
The female crackler makes almost the same sounds as the female teal-whistle - that is, it quacks briefly. And the drake screams in a crackling voice (hence the name).
The main difference between males and females is that in males, the wings have an ashen-bluish color above, and the plumage as a whole is lighter. In this case, the head of the drake is brownish-reddish. On it, like a 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 the coddlers: during the mating season, the grooms do their best not only for females of their kind, but also for brides from other “clans”. Even for much larger mallards.
Wide Duck
The name of the wide-toed 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, shirokonoski fly slowly, as if they feel uncomfortable in the air. Head slightly tilted, showing your 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 that contrast spectacularly with a dazzling white “collar”, a red belly and sides. The front part of the wings of the 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, uttering something like "Sok-sung."
The wide-nosed female is “dressed” more modestly, but also with taste. The basic tones of her plumage are brown and red. It is considered almost the most careless river duck, showing amazing negligence. Her favorite "words": "piit, piit", published at a rhythmic pace.
