Duck Field Guide
Given the variety of duck species, duck field guides are a helpful starting point for any individual seeking to identify and/or study ducks. Such guides also serve as useful resources for seasoned hunters, birders, and scientists who seek to learn more about these animals.
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Features
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Duck field guides contain detailed illustrations, maps of migration patterns, and geographical ranges of particular species of duck. The guides should also contain descriptions of the sounds, or calls, that a particular duck species makes. Finally, many duck field guides contain basic species-specific information about diet, behavior, and flight patterns.
Identification
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Field guides are particularly useful for identifying ducks. Duck identification can be challenging because, like many other species of birds, many duck species look different depending on their age, sex, and season in which they are observed. For example, an adult female duck, or hen, may look significantly different than an adult male duck, or drake, of the same species. Further, the same drake may look significantly different in the fall than he does in breeding plumage in the spring. A duck field guide will illustrate and highlight these distinctive physical features.
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Considerations
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There are several types of duck field guides available. Some field guides are written for specific geographic regions. If this is the case, be sure the book is appropriate for your particular region. The size of the field guide is also important. Pocket-sized guides allow for quicker and easier access and can more easily be carried into the field. You may also want to consider purchasing laminated guides to protect against water damage.
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References
- Hines, Robert W. No Date. Ducks at a distance: A waterfowl identification guide. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Natural and Cultural Heritage Association, Albuquerque, NM. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
- ident-i-cards Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Products
Resources
- Photo Credit duck image by Witold Krasowski from Fotolia.com
