Ducks are web-footed swimming birds in the family Anatidae, which also includes the goose and swan. It is distinguished from the goose and swan by its comparatively small size, short neck and legs, its somewhat flattened body and the sexes usually have a different plumage. In common with them, and with the flamingo, it has transverse, tooth-like ridges called lamellae, just inside the edges of the bill, for straining edible matter from mud or water. The numerous species of ducks occur throughout the world on fresh or salt waters and on many oceanic small islands.
Ducks do not need and will not use dropping boards or nests, and an open shed littered with straw. They feed on plants, seeds, grains, animal foodstuffs, milk and almost any type of feeding material found on a farm. Since ducks are rugged and are able to care for themselves, they do well on free range. Also, ducks can be successfully raised without water facilities for swimming. However, they breed most naturally when they have swimming facilities.
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1. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) – The mallard breeds in subarctic and temperate regions in different countries of the world. It is the ancestor of most domestic ducks and is one of the best known birds in the world. It is usually confused with domestic ducks in ricefields called "quack".
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2. Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) – There are about fifteen species of teal distributed throuqhout the world. The best known is the green-winged teal which breeds in temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a small, fast-flying, surface feeding duck. The male is a beautiful small, gray bird with a green patch on the chestnut-colored head, and a conspicuous, metallic-green patch on the wing. The female is brown speckled with a green wing patch. Uncommon in freshwater wetlands, usually in small groups.
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