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Introduction
The Task
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits&
References
Ducks are members of the waterfowl family.
They are related to geese, swans, and other birds.
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The Waterfowl Family |
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| Geese | Ducks | Swans |
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Not all ducks act or look alike. Most of these cuties are either dabblers or divers. They come in all different colors, shapes and sizes. Some like the sea but most enjoy lakes, ponds and marshes. [scroll to bottom of page to see how different ducks look]
All ducks need lots of water to swim in and find food. What looks
like
pond scum to us is like a McDonalds meal to them. They munch on vegetation
or small plant life in the water. That’s why you see ducks ducking
their heads in the water so much. Some like to eat fish and insects. The
mallard duck dine on mosquito eggs like candy.
Above: A flock of mallards. The males have green heads. The females are brown with light spots.
Ducks and their waterfowl relatives migrate by fly from one place to another every year. Please click here to find out more on the migration page.
What else is ducky about ducks?
Three things:
Beaks ~ Feet ~ Feathers
BEAKS
Ducks have no teeth in their beaks. Instead they have tiny plates that line up inside. When the ducks suck in water the plates act like filters. Food goes in and the water goes back out. This how they eat. Ducks never chew their food. They filter it!
The beak is very
helpful to the duck in another way. Its long shape is good for preening
and zipping feathers. When feathers get messy and ruffled they need
to get straightened out again. By pulling a feather through the beak
it gets zipped up. Ducks do this all day long.
FEET
Ducks
have big feet that make them waddle back and forth on land. They are
not fast walkers, but they sure can swim. Did you ever notice how
fast and graceful they are in the water? Next time you go to the park
watch them glide around.
FEATHERS
Since ducks spend so much time in the water they need feathers that won’t get wet. They have oil on their backs. It spreads around when they preen the feathers. They stay warm and dry this way even in the freezing winter water.
Take a look at the pictures below. There are red faced ducks and blue winged ducks. They have a big family with many different characteristics, colors and life styles.
PICTURES
Above: Mother and chick.
Below: Two dabblers.
Above: Male mallards.
Below: Female mallard with chicks.
Click here for U.S. Government Duck Pictures
Try BIRD BUSINESS, Discovery Channel and Zooish to learn more about ducks.
Choose up to two activities:
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Multiple Intelligence |
Activity / Task
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Linguist |
1. Write an essay story about a duck of your choice. It could takes place in one day or over time, like during a migrate with it’s family. 2. Write a poem about a duck's life based on what you’ve learned in the WQ. |
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Logical-Mathematical |
Based on what you’ve learned in the WQ give three examples of where numbers were used to explain something. Give another example for what the numbers can represent. |
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Intrapersonal |
Pick a duck that interests you. Write about that bird based on your personal knowledge and understanding and what you learned from the page and links and class. What feelings would the bird have day-to-day. Compare and contrast to humans and what they go through. |