Dabbling Ducks
Dabbling ducks, or puddle ducks, frequent shallow waters such as flooded fields and marshes.
They feed by tipping up rather than diving. When taking flight, they spring into the air instead of pattering across the water.
Most swim with their tail held clear of the water and have colorful, iridescent speculum (a rectangular patch at the hind edge of the wing).
Diving Ducks
Diving ducks, also called sea ducks, are typically birds of large, deep lakes and rivers, coastal bays and inlets. Their speculums lack the brilliance of those on most dabblers.
Most patter along the water in taking wing. They all dive for food, whereas dabblers rarely dive. They also have a more rapid wingbeat than most dabblers.
Geese
There are at least seven types of native geese in North America, not counting exotic or domestic geese. Almost all the North American geese, even in individual classifications have sub-species, named “Lesser” or “Western”, with each group having their subtle differences.
The plumage of both sexes of geese are similar, although males are generally larger than females. Geese spend a large amount of time on land, as they graze on grasses and other land plants, in addition to eating some aquatic plants. These large birds mate for life and both parents care for the young.
Other Waterfowl
Waterfowl which do not fall under dabbling, diving, or geese categories are whistling ducks, sandhill cranes, and swans – the largest waterfowl species.
The following is only a sample of the wide variety of other water birds you may find in wetlands and associated habitats.