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Waterfowl Species Abundance
an indicator of wildlife sustainability in
British Columbia's Interior |
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Diving ducks are also called "sea ducks"
or "bay ducks" but many are commonly found on lakes and rivers
and breed in marshes. All species dive. The hind toe has a paddle-like
flap. In taking wing they patter along the surface while getting under
way (legs are placed closer to the tail). Sexes are unlike. They feed
on small aquatic animals and plants. Sea ducks eat mollusks and crustaceans.
Dabbling ducks, also called "puddle
ducks", are characteristic of shallow waters, creeks, ponds
and marshes. They feed by dabbling and upending and can dive but seldom
do. They sometimes feed on land. They swim usually with the tail held
off the water. When frightened they spring directly into the air instead
of taxiing along the water. Most dabbling species have an iridescent patch
on the trailing edge of the wing called a speculum. Sexes are unlike in
breeding plumage but in summer most male ducks molt into a drab plumage
known as the "eclipse". They feed on aquatic plants, seeds,
grass, small aquatic animals and insects.
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Definition of diving and dabbling ducks as per
Roger Tory Peterson, 1961. A Field Guide to Western Birds. 2nd edition.
BC Interior Wetland Common Duck Species List
Diving Ducks
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Dabbling Ducks
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Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Scientific name |
| Canvasback |
Aythya valisineria |
Northern Pintail |
Anas acuta |
| Redhead |
Aythya americana |
Gadwall |
Anas strepera |
| Ring-necked Duck |
Aythya collaris |
Cinnamon Teal |
Anas cyanoptera |
| Ruddy Duck |
Oxyura jamaicensis |
Blue-winged Teal |
Anas discors |
| Barrow's Goldeneye |
Bucephala islandica |
Green-winged Teal |
Anas crecca |
| Common Goldeneye |
Bucephala clangula |
Northern Shoveler |
Anas clypeata |
| Bufflehead |
Bucephala albeola |
Mallard |
Anas platyrhynchos |
| Scaup |
Aythya sp. |
American Wigeon |
Anas americana |
| Common Merganser |
Mergus merganser |
European Wigeon |
Anas penelope |
| Hooded Merganser |
Lophodytes cucullatus |
Wood Duck |
Aix sponsa |
| Oldsquaw |
Clangula hyemalis |
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| Surf Scoter |
Melanitta perspicillata |
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| White-winged Scoter |
Melanitta fusca |
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References cited in the Waterfowl Species Abundance
Indicator:
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DuWors, E., M. Villeneuve, F. L. Filion, R. Reid, P. Bouchard, D.
Legg, P. Boxall, T. Williamson, A. Bath and S. Meis. 1999. The
Importance of Nature to Canadians: Survey Highlights. Environment
Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
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Filion, F.L., E. DuWors, P. Boxall, P. Bouchard, R. Reid,
P. A. Gray, A. Bath, A. Jacquemot and G. Legare. 1993. The
Importance of wildlife to Canadians: Highlights of the 1991 survey.
Environment Canada, Can. Wildl. Serv. Ottawa, Canada.
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Breault, A. (unpublish) 2005. Migratory Gamebird Populations in British
Columbia: Surveys and Trends. March 2005. Environment Canada, Can.
Wildl. Serv., Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, BC.
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Breault, A. and P. Watts. (unpublish) 2002. 2002 Cooperative Wetland
Survey Results for the Interior of British Columbia. Environment
Canada, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta,
BC.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife. 2004. Waterfowl population status, 2004. U.S.
Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 53 pp.
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