Main Menu
  • All Animals
  • Animal Lists
    • By Scientific Name
    • By Class
    • By Location
    • Pictures
    • Favorites
  • Endangered
  • Reference
  • Blog

Duck

Anas Platyrhynchos

Last updated: January 3, 2021
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Continue Reading after the facts...


Duck Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Duck
Scientific Name
Anas Platyrhynchos

Duck Conservation Status

  • Least Concern

Duck Locations

  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Central-America
  • Eurasia
  • Europe
  • North-America
  • Ocean
  • Oceania
  • South-America
Duck Locations

Duck Facts

Main Prey
Insects, Frogs, Plants, Shellfish
Distinctive Feature
Long, broad beak and webbed feet
Wingspan
60cm - 80cm (24in - 31in)
Habitat
Rivers, lakes and woodland wetlands
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
  • Pack
Favorite Food
Insects
Type
Bird
Average Clutch Size
5
Slogan
Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Duck Physical Characteristics

Colour
  • Green
  • Black
  • Grey
  • Brown
  • White
  • Yellow
Skin Type
Feathers
Top Speed
88 mph
Lifespan
4 - 8 years
Weight
0.7kg - 1.4kg (1.5lbs - 3lbs)
Length
30cm - 50cm (12in - 20in)

Duck Images

Click through all of our Duck images in the gallery.

View all of the Duck images!

Ducks are medium sized aquatic birds related to other aquatic birds like swans and geese. Ducks differ from swans and geese in their tendency to dive into the water in order catch their food.

Ducks are omnivorous animals feeding on aquatic plants, small fish, insects and grubs both in and out of water meaning that ducks can easily adapt to different conditions. It is because of the duck's ability to eat such a diverse amount of food both in water and on dry land that makes ducks one of the most widespread birds in the world as they are found on every continent, with the obvious exception of Antarctica.

A duck's mouth contains rows of tiny plates that line their teeth, to help them filter water out of their beaks without losing food. The duck's advanced water filtering system is similar to the way in which a blue whale feeds in the ocean.

Contrary to popular belief, not all ducks actually quack! It is generally known that it is only really the females of most duck species that actually make a quacking sound. All ducks actually have a wide range of calls that they use to communicate with one another including whistles and grunts!

Ducks are particularly vulnerable animals and therefore ducks have many predators around the world. Predators of ducks range from smaller animals such as foxes, wolves and even large fish, to bigger animals including crocodiles and humans.

Ducks are farmed all over the world for their meat and eggs. Ducks are also farmed on mass for their feathers (known as down) which is most commonly used in bedding, such as duvets and pillows. Domestic duck populations are thought to be at their highest in Asia particularly in China which has the largest market for duck in the world. Many different species of duck are consumed around the world, with the meat of the duck being particularly favourable to humans due to it's rich taste.

Ducks are also hunted regularly by shooters as ducks are seen to be an easy target. The calm and quiet nature of the duck means that it often takes a long time to react to surrounding noise.

As with other commercially farmed birds such as chickens, ducks are often intensively farmed and are subjected to terrible conditions. Consumers of duck meat and eggs should only purchase products that are organic or free range, and should try to avoid buying bedding that is made from duck down (feathers).

Ducks have adapted well to life on the water and along with their special water filtering system in their mouths, ducks also have webbed feet which allows them to travel on the surface of the water with ease. The webbed feet of the duck also make it easier for the duck to walk on the slippery river banks.

Duck Foot Facts

  • Ducks have webbed feet which allows them to paddle and swim in the water more smoothly.
  • When ducks swim, they push out their feet back in a kicking motion so that the webbing catches the water and pushing it behind the duck.
  • On the return stroke, the webbing on the foot of the duck closes up which allows the duck to have less water resistance and to travel faster.
  • Ducks have a complex structure of capillaries in their feet which help to regulate the blood flow and stops their feet from getting cold.
  • The webbed feet of the duck means that the duck cannot walk smoothly on land and instead move around in a waddling motion.

Duck Teeth Facts

  • Like other species of bird, ducks do not have teeth but instead uses their beaks to catch their food.
  • Ducks have rows of thin bristles in their mouths that enable them to filer nutrient particles out of the water.
  • Ducks use their strong beaks to catch their food and then swallow them whole, using their gizzard to help to digest their food.
  • The beak of a duck is comprised of an upper and lower jaw that are strong as they are made out of bone.
  • The duck uses its beak both to feed, and to groom itself as the duck picks the dirt out of its feathers.
View all 26 animals that start with D

Duck FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Ducks herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Ducks are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Ducks belong to?

Ducks belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Ducks belong to?

Ducks belong to the class Aves.

What phylum to Ducks belong to?

Ducks belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Ducks belong to?

Ducks belong to the family Anatidae.

What order do Ducks belong to?

Ducks belong to the order Anseriformes.

What type of covering do Ducks have?

Ducks are covered in Feathers.

What genus do Ducks belong to?

Ducks belong to the genus Duck.

In what type of habitat do Ducks live?

Ducks live in rivers, lakes, and woodland wetlands.

What is the main prey for Ducks?

Ducks eat insects, frogs, plants, and shellfish.

What are some distinguishing features of Ducks?

Ducks have long, broad beaks and webbed feet.

How many eggs do Ducks lay?

Ducks typically lay 5 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Ducks?

Ducks have rows of tiny plates lining their teeth!

What is the scientific name for the Duck?

The scientific name for the Duck is Anas Platyrhynchos.

How to say Duck in ...
Bulgarian
Зеленоглава_патица
Catalan
ànec_collverd
Czech
Kachna_divoká
Danish
Gråand
German
Stockente
English
Mallard
Esperanto
Platbeka_anaso
Spanish
Anas_platyrhynchos
Finnish
Sinisorsa
French
Canard_colvert
Galician
Lavanco
Hebrew
ברכיה_(עוף)
Croatian
Divlja patka
Hungarian
Házikacsa
Italian
Anas_platyrhynchos
Japanese
マガモ
Dutch
Wilde_eend
Norwegian
Stokkand
Polish
Kaczka_krzyżówka
Portuguese
Pato-real
Slovenian
mlakarica
Swedish
Gräsand
Turkish
Yeşilbaş
Chinese
绿头鸭
Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
  7. Christopher Perrins, Oxford University Press (2009) The Encyclopedia Of Birds

Our Newest Animals

Loach

Have sharp spines below their eyes

Toadfish

Can be heard out of water

Codfish

They eat other fish

Most Recently Updated Animals

Alpine Dachsbracke

Good companion and hard-working breed!

Loach

Have sharp spines below their eyes

Saint Bernard

Gentle, loyal and friendly!

Most recent blog post


Top 10 World’s Smallest Animals

What are the smallest animals in the world? Before we begin, let’s define “smallest.” After all, single-celled organisms, which can only be seen with microscopes, are crawling over everything — including our bodies! So, for our smallest animals in the world list, we’re limiting it to animals viewable with unaided human eyes. Smallest Rabbit: Pygmy […] Read More

Support A-Z Animals!

Adult Stress Relief Coloring Book

Adult Stress Relief Coloring Book

Wonderful Stress Relieving Animal Designs for Hours of Fun, Focus, and Relaxation.

  • INSTANT download with two edge formats
  • Yours to keep forever
  • Color with markers, coloring pencils, felt tips, and gel pens
  • Zentangle designs and shapes are prove to reduce stress, increase mindfullness, and increase focus
  • Every animal also includes encyclopedia information to learn more about these incredible creatures
  • Large 8.5 x 11 format

70% off this week!

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sourcing Our Content
  • Privacy & Our Policies

Copyright © 2008 - 2021 A-Z Animals