Dabbling Is Mainly Skimming With Not Much Tipping
These are American Wigeons (Anas Americana) Ducks at Fort Lowell Park, Tucson, Arizona, Southwestern USA
The definition of dabbling (see below) does not adequately describe their actual feeding behavior as I observed it. While they did tip occasionally, mostly they stretch out their necks horizontally with the top of their bills just above the water. You can see the female doing that in this photo. I suspect they open their lower bill downward under water to skim floating plant matter like seeds and decomposing leaves, and possibly insects or tadpoles, etc. This characteristic skimming mode, is the predominant feeding mode, Tipping does occur, but much less frequently.
Here is the definition of a Dabbling Duck:
birding.about.com/od/birdingglossary/g/dabblingduck.htm
Definition:
(noun) A type of shallow water duck that feeds primarily along the surface of the water or by tipping headfirst into the water to graze on aquatic plants and vegetation. These ducks are infrequent divers and are usually found in small ponds, rivers and other shallow waterways. Dabbling ducks also forage on land for seeds and insects. Physically, they have flat, broad bills and float high on the water while swimming and they tend to be very vocal birds.
Species of dabbling ducks include mallards, northern shovelers, American wigeons, American black ducks, gadwalls and cinnamon teal.
IMG_8067
Dabbling Is Mainly Skimming With Not Much Tipping
These are American Wigeons (Anas Americana) Ducks at Fort Lowell Park, Tucson, Arizona, Southwestern USA
The definition of dabbling (see below) does not adequately describe their actual feeding behavior as I observed it. While they did tip occasionally, mostly they stretch out their necks horizontally with the top of their bills just above the water. You can see the female doing that in this photo. I suspect they open their lower bill downward under water to skim floating plant matter like seeds and decomposing leaves, and possibly insects or tadpoles, etc. This characteristic skimming mode, is the predominant feeding mode, Tipping does occur, but much less frequently.
Here is the definition of a Dabbling Duck:
birding.about.com/od/birdingglossary/g/dabblingduck.htm
Definition:
(noun) A type of shallow water duck that feeds primarily along the surface of the water or by tipping headfirst into the water to graze on aquatic plants and vegetation. These ducks are infrequent divers and are usually found in small ponds, rivers and other shallow waterways. Dabbling ducks also forage on land for seeds and insects. Physically, they have flat, broad bills and float high on the water while swimming and they tend to be very vocal birds.
Species of dabbling ducks include mallards, northern shovelers, American wigeons, American black ducks, gadwalls and cinnamon teal.
IMG_8067