Dabbling Ducks - Family Overview

Dabbling ducks belong primarily to the tribe Anatini within the family Anatidae, a group of surface-feeding waterfowl commonly found on lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and shallow wetlands.

Unlike diving ducks, dabbling ducks feed mainly at the water’s surface or by tipping forward to reach submerged vegetation, seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and small organisms without fully submerging.

They are typically agile on land and capable of taking off directly from the water without a long running start. Many species show strong sexual dimorphism, with males displaying bright breeding plumage while females retain more cryptic coloration.

Dabbling ducks are widely distributed across the world and include both resident and migratory species. Several species undertake long-distance migrations, travelling between breeding grounds in temperate regions and wintering areas in the tropics.

In India, dabbling ducks are especially prominent during winter months, when large numbers of migratory species arrive at wetlands, reservoirs, floodplains, and protected bird sanctuaries.

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