Mallard: Being Popular

The most widespread of the Duck Family, Mallard is familiar to many people. Say “duck” and Mallard, the largest of the Ducks comes to mind. Unlike most Ducks, He is not bothered by people. Mallard will nest anywhere there is water such as public fountains and parks.

Another example of Mallard’s uniqueness is how He exemplifies both Bergman’s and Allen’s Rules. At the Polar Regions, Mallard is larger than his Temperate Zone counterpart. Because his bill is vulnerable to cold, Polar Mallard has a smaller one.

Because of Mallard’s friendliness, He is the ancestor of today’s Domestic Ducks (except for the South American Muscovy). Archaeological evidence even suggests that Domestic Ducks were bred from Mallard before Chickens were domesticated. Even today, many species of Domestic Ducks still retain Mallard’s curly tail.

Wherever He goes, Mallard is easily recognized. People enjoy feeding He and his Friends at ponds. Because of his willingness to live near people, He has become well-known. Mallard teaches the key to popularity is friendliness and accessibility. Be like Him and have many friends.

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Science Notes:

1. Allen’s Rule and Bergmann’s Rule
These two rules give general guidelines to an animal’s body shape and size. According to Allen’s Rule, members of the same animal species will differ according to the climate where they live. An animal’s arms, legs, ears, and nose will be shorter in the cooler parts of their range. According to Bergmann’s Rule, geographic groups of a species will have smaller bodies in the warmer parts of their ranges. In the cooler parts, their bodies will be larger.

2. Collective nouns for groups of ducks: in water: raft, paddling. taking off: sord. in flight: team, brace, flight, flock. on the ground: brace.

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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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Wood Duck: Be As Colorful As You Want

At home in the forests, Wood Duck is agile and fast on land, water, and the sky. As a Perching Duck, Wood Duck climbs trees. In fact, He places his nests in tree cavities that are abandoned by woodpeckers or squirrels. Seldom straying from his ancestral home, Wood Duck rebuilds his nest in the same area every year. This sensible Duck places his nest high enough off the ground to prevent the eggs from being taken. When his Ducklings leave their nest, They drop down to the ground below.

One of the most beautiful Ducks in the world, Wood Duck is a close relative to the spectacular Mandarin Duck of Asia. In fact, Wood Duck is called “the Water Bird in a Bridal Dress”. With his vivid green, blue, purple, yellow, and brown hues, He stands out. Many remember Him long after he is gone.

This quiet unassuming Duck demonstrates the vivid palette of living. Bright gaudy colors make this Duck memorable where He is. Wood Duck is as colorful as He wants to be. Moreover, He goes about his life not caring that He is dressed for a wedding.

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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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The Duck Family: Holders of Souls

Ducks belong to the same family as Geese and Swans. All these Waterfowl (called Anatidae) have webbed feet and waterproof feathers. When They preen, these Waterfowl rub oil on their feathers to make them waterproof.

The Duck Family contains a great variety of Birds. Resembling Geese, Whistling Ducks have long legs and necks. To climb trees, Perching Ducks have sharp claws on their feet. Domestic Ducks (mostly descendants of Mallards) are a part of many barnyards.

Many people are familiar with Dabbling Ducks that frequent parks. They see these Ducks dip their bodies into shallow waters to feed. Dabblers have short broad bills with bony plates to strain their food. When They take off, these Ducks do so directly from the water.

Living in deeper waters, Diving Ducks go completely underwater for food. Because of their heavy bodies, Divers need to run along the water for takeoff. Warm feathers for quilts come from Eider Ducks. Meanwhile, Stiff-tailed Ducks use their tail feathers as a rudder as they dive.

Mergansers use their unusual bills to catch and hold live prey. These long narrow bills have saw teeth. In addition, they also have a hook at the end. While swimming in the water, Mergansers resemble like a head bump between a long neck and an even longer bill.



Many cultures saw greatness in these ordinary Birds. The ancient Egyptians sacrificed Pintail Ducks to Ra, their Sun God. Also, “Duck” was a part of their hieroglyphics for a Pharaoh. When, they saw a Duck skimming along the water, they glimpsed a soul leaving this world behind. For the Olmecs of Central America, Ducks were the alter-ego of the soul. In addition, the Zuni regarded a Duck to be a soul returning home.

Like Eagles, Ducks have deep spiritual significance for people. Unlike Eagles, Ducks live close to humans. Through providing feathers, food, and eggs, Ducks offer people comfort and security. By being near, Ducks became keepers of the human soul.

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Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers
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