Did you know that by looking at a duck you are able to tell what it eats? Welcome to Field Notes. I’m John Kerr, a volunteer at the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.

By noting a few, easily identifiable characteristics of a duck, you can get a pretty good idea of what it feeds on. The ducks of Southwest Alaska are placed into two basic feeding categories: dabbler ducks and diver ducks.

To identify a duck as a dabbler or diver when viewed on land, look at the position of its legs. Dabbler ducks, such as mallards, widgeons and teals have legs that are centrally located on their bodies. Centrally located legs make walking easier, allowing for greater mobility while feeding on terrestrial vegetation and agricultural grains. However, centrally located legs are not efficient for powerful swimming, but dabbler ducks do not need to be powerful swimmers because the food they eat in the water is on or just below the surface. In contrast, diver ducks such as mergansers, eiders, scoters and scaup have legs positioned towards the rear of their bodies. They stand more vertically than dabblers and can appear awkward while walking. They are better suited for a mostly aquatic lifestyle, diving under water to chase fish and other aquatic animals.

To identify a duck as a dabbler or diver when it is on the water, notice how the duck is positioned in the water. Dabbler ducks sit high on the water, feeding on aquatic vegetation and small invertebrates on or near the surface. On the other hand, diver ducks sit much lower in the water. They accomplish this by squeezing their feathers against their body, expelling air trapped between them. This allows them to submerge more easily to chase their main prey, fish and large crustaceans. Their rear mounted legs and large feet are excellent for powerful swimming and act like propellers under the water, allowing for speed and agility while feeding.

I hope this piece of information on local duck behavior will add to your enjoyment of the great outdoors. For Field Notes, I’m John Kerr.