Introduction to ducks

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Ducks have in common broad webbed feet and a compact body that enable them to swim and dive efficiently; a broad, flat bill; and plumage that does not get wet easily. But within the group there is considerable diversity, different species being adapted for different habitats and different methods of feeding. To most people the most familiar ducks are the residents that breed here: the mallard, occupying every type of wetland from town pond to rural stream and estuary, and the tufted duck, a black-and-white diving duck found on most lakes and reservoirs.

Other resident ducks breeding in Essex, in smaller numbers, include shoveler, unmistakable with their flattened spoon-like bill; and teal, our smallest duck, males easily recognisable with their cinnamon head and almost fluorescent green eye stripe. These are dabbling ducks like the mallard, feeding mainly on vegetation by swimming or upending in water or by grazing on land, É

É whereas diving ducks like the tufted duck catch fish and other aquatic animals under water. The handsome pochard is another diving duck that breeds here in small but nationally important numbers.

The numbers of all these resident ducks are swelled by visitors that come here in winter to take advantage of our mild climate and our broad shallow estuaries, heading back to their northern breeding grounds in spring. In total, more than a quarter of a million ducks and waders visit Essex every winter. Dabbling ducks only seen in winter or on migration include wigeon, that arrive in their thousands, and pintail, the male unmistakable with its long pointed tail.

Winter visitors among the diving ducks include scaup, mainly on estuaries, and ruddy duck, introduced from North America, on reservoirs.

Three species of diving duck known as 'sawbills' also visit in winter: smew and goosander to lakes and reservoirs and red-breasted merganser to estuaries. Sawbill ducks have a serrated edge to their bills that makes it easier for them to hold struggling fish.

A number of species known as sea duck visit the Essex coast in winter, and occasionally reservoirs also. Sea duck are primarily marine birds that have special glands that help them to tolerate salt water. These include eider, with their large heavy bill, and the attractive goldeneye.

One species of duck passes through Essex on migration from Africa to its breeding grounds in Scandinavia and occasionally stays to breed. This is the garganey, an attractive duck not much bigger than the teal and among the rarest of Britain's breeding birds.