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Puddle Ducks


Puddle ducks are typically birds of fresh, shallow marshes and rivers

rather than of large lakes and bays. They are good divers, but usually

feed by dabbling or tipping rather than submerging.



The speculum, or colored wing patch, is generally iridescent and

bright, and often a telltale field mark.



Any duck feeding in croplands will likely be a puddle duck, for most of

this group are sure-footed and can walk and run well on land. Their diet

is mostly vegetable, and grain-fed mallards or pintails or

acorn-fattened wood ducks are highly regarded as food.



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