| Looking for duck facts in a fun format? Try reading Robert McCloskey's book Make Way for Ducklings. Mr. & Mrs. Mallard are migrating, looking for a suitable place to raise their ducklings. They consider the environment--food source, absence of predators. Mr. & Mrs. Mallard work together to make their nest. They dabble for food in the mud of the pond, and enjoy the peanuts thrown to them from friendly people. After the eggs are laid, Mrs. Mallard has the responsibility of incubating them. Mr. & Mrs. Mallard molt (lose their feathers) and are not able to fly until the new ones come in. Mrs. Mallard, by herself, takes care of the ducklings once they hatch. She shows them how to swim, find food, and avoid dangers. After an adventure down the streets of Boston, they reunite with Mr. Mallard. The duck family ends up settling where the habitat is good. Does this cover all the facts about ducks? Of course not. However, it is fun to count the ducklings, and to identify their names (in alphabetical order) as Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack. It's fun to imagine the policemen stopping traffice to allow for the duck crossing. You can find maps of Boston and follow their route. Do you want more specific information about ducks? Ducks are part of the family Anatidae-the ducks, geese, and swans. This family includes all web-footed swimming birds with lamellate bills. A lamellate bill has toothlike edges that allows the animal to hold onto its piece of food while allowing the water to drain from its mouth. The different species of ducks are divided into five main categories. They are 1) surface-feeding or puddle ducks 2) diving ducks 3) mergansers 4) stiff-tailed ducks and 5) tree ducks. Male ducks are called drakes. Female ducks are called hens. The drakes are typically more colorful than the hens. When a duck preens itself, it spreads oil on its feathers that makes them waterproof--hence the expression "like water off a duck's back." Ducks are precocial birds. This means that the young are fairly mature. Ducklings are born with feathers, and are able to walk, swim, and feed themselves within a few hours. They are not the helpless babies like many common garden birds that remain in the nest for several weeks, and depend on their parents to feed them and keep them warm. This type of bird is referred to as altricial. Many different species of ducks winter in New Jersey. However, many of them have left for their summer grounds to the north. Some mallards are likely to still be around, so keep your eyes open when you are near freshwater ponds, and perhaps you can spot some. Written by Sherry Prioli / Sources: See Links below |
| Fun with Ducks |
| Duck Links and Activities Books Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey A New Duck by Pamela Hickman and Heather Collins Wonders of Wild Ducks by Thomas D. Fegely Links Make Way for Ducklings Activities Make Way for Duckling Geography Activities Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Bird Central First-School.ws |