The Mallard or Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia. Mallards belong to the subfamily Anatinae of the waterfowl family Anatidae, they live in wetlands, eat water plants and small animals, and are gregarious. This species is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic ducks.
 |
| Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) female on the water (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
 |
| Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) male and female (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
 |
| Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) male. (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
Coots (Fulica atra, Eurasian Coot or Common Coot) are medium-sized water birds, members of the rail family Rallidae. They are close relatives of the moorhen.
The greatest species variety occurs in South America, and these omnivorous birds are also common in Europe and North America. They eat mainly plant material, but also small animals and eggs. They are aggressively territorial during the breeding season, and prefer shallow vegetated lakes.
 |
| Coot, Eurasian Coot, Common Coot (Fulica atra) in the water (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
 |
| Coot, Eurasian Coot, Common Coot (Fulica atra) reflecting in the water (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
 |
| Coot, Eurasian Coot, Common Coot (Fulica atra) swimming in the water (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
 |
| Coot, Eurasian Coot, Common Coot (Fulica atra) near the water (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
The Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to Mexico, Central, and South America. White specimens don't mind flaunting pale blue eyes.
 |
| Feral white muscovy duck (Cairina moschata domestica) portrait (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
 |
| Feral white muscovy duck (Cairina moschata domestica) near the water (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved) |
I really like your duck pictures, but there is something amazing about your fifth photo. The contrast and the dark edges - just special.
ReplyDeleteFor a while, it looked as though we had lost our ducks from the pond (there were grandchildren of one of our neighbors, who began shooting at them with bows and arrows). Fortunately the grandchildren have gone back, and our ducks (mallards) have come back :)
Thanks, you're right -- it's as much about the ducks, as it is about the water. I hope those ill-bred children didn't kill any of your ducks. ;)
Delete