(Part of the) common name of most of the smaller species of the Anatidae family (order Anseriformes) and in the plural, usually in combination with geese and swans, the general term for the family. The application of 'duck' (or 'goose') does not directly correspond with taxonomic subdivisions. Male individuals of ducks are often called 'drake' and females sometimes 'hen'. The members of the family are essentially aquatic and many species obtain their food principally by diving. All have relatively long necks, blunt, rather spatulate bills and three of the toes are linked by webs. Usually the females line their nests with down plucked from the breast and the young of all species leave the nest soon after hatching (nidifugous). All ducks moult the flight feathers simultaneously and have a flightless period of three to four weeks after the breeding season. Some species show a sharp sexual dimorphism, the males having a bright breeding-plumage, which is replaced by a cryptic plumage resembling the female's during the annual flightless period. The dabbling duck Anas platyrhynchos, or Mallard or Wild-duck, has been domesticated and various familiar forms of this species exist.

Alternative form for ducks : duck.