The Ultimate Duck Quiz

The duck is a swimming bird.

There are about 150 species.

Ducks are found everywhere except in Antarctica.

Their size varies from 15 to 24 inches (38 to 61 cm) in length.

It's called a drake.

These notches or serrations are used to hold elusive prey.

The drake is usually more colorful than the hen.

The duck secretes a film of oil that prevents its feathers from being water-logged.

They have distinctive green heads, but the hens are drab brown.

The duck has webbed feet, with three toes facing forward and one, that is not webbed, facing backward.

Some species can fly at close to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).

Wild ducks choose one mate and remain together for a season.

Most build the nests on the ground in a depression among reeds rocks or in a hollow of a dead tree.

The females of most species lay between 6 and 12 eggs.

The female duck is responsible for incubation.

It is usually about four weeks.

The young ones of most species fly at the age of 50 to 60 days.

Since all of the flight feathers are lost at the same time, the duck is basically grounded for a few weeks until new feathers grow.

Their short but very powerful wings enable them to fly long distances.

Hunters use shotguns that shoot a spray of deadly pellets aimed just ahead of the flying duck.