u/AdAffectionate8634

These adorable quackers are indeed a rare breed. The breed is kept alive by only a few breeders in America.

Magpies are active foragers that graze and hunt for a sizable portion of their feed from grass, seeds, insects, and aquatic life. They eagerly search for and consume slugs, snails, and insects; so much so that keepers of large livestock farms find that these ducks are effective at eliminating liver fluke infestations.

Magpie ducks imprint on their keepers more than any duck breed, especially if they are the only survivor or if other ducklings hatch later.

Because of their size, somewhat upright carriage, and plumage pattern Magpie ducks are thought to descend from Runner ducks and Huttegems.

I had posted this years ago on my old account but it was hacked and I lost it so it's back with my new account. Enjoy the ducket!

Got 35 ducklings 2 weeks ago :)

Hatched out by the NestBurglar herself! She’s in the last pic big mad that I dared look at her fluffballs with my camera.

The Villages, FL

The Koloa Maoli is the cutest tiny dabbling duck found in Oahu (lucky ducks!) These guys are unique to the islands and are found nowhere else on earth.

The Koloa Maoli are specifically adapted for two rather odd-looking foraging strategies. One of these is for them to tip their body upside down with their front half underwater and back half in the air so it can forage in the layers of mud at the bottom of shallow waters. The other is to skim the surface of the water in a type of filter feeding using their lamellae (comb like "teeth") they filter all the duck-delicious food items like seeds and invertebrates.

These tiny beauties are similar to Mallard but significantly smaller. Most of the current population is a hybridization of the mallard and the Koloa Maoli as they were threatened to extinction and in many places it is rare to find a true pure blood - which is heartbreaking. There are however new rising populations found in Kauai where a very low-level of hybridization has been revealed. This is due mostly to the hard workers in the state and federal wildlife workers along with the dedicated nearby people determined to save this gorgeous and special species.

They even have their own legends!! How many ducks do *you* know that have semi-hero status?

*The Hawaiin Story of Umi*

The Hawaiian duck has its place in the folklore and legends of Hawaii, and is said to have been a guide to Imaikalini, a fierce blind warrior king. When Imaikalini went into battle, the ducks would alert him to the presence of his enemies, quacking to indicate their location. The warrior king would unleash a volley of ten spears, five from each hand, which the Koloa would guide to their target – a deadly battery of such power that it is said that no man could evade their horror.

The Black Bellied Whistling Duck

Yet another sneaky little cavity nester that safely lays its eggs up high in trees or laying boxes.

These beauties are highly social and highly vocal. The adults form long term mating bonds and they tend to be found in large flocks in the South-Eastern U.S., Mexico, and Central/South America. (Bummer! That is nowhere near me - I want 2 +ducklings!)

So cute!! And Fluffy!

These beauties are another threatened species thanks to our kind taking over their habitats..

Harlequin ducks are considered sea ducks but they breed in fast turbulent whitewater alpine streams. Their unique coloring allows them to blend in the fast moving cold waters as they dabble, dip, dive, duck, and dodge the rough currents.

These ducks are monogamous. Young ducks begin their courtship of the ladies during their first winter. By the fourth year their bond is solidified.

Conservation efforts continue as these lovelies are endangered/threatened.

This adorable sweetie is a Long Tailed Duck duckling..

These are medium sized sea ducks which are extremely strong, deep divers who predominantly feed on invertebrates and some plant matter. They can plunge 200+ feet to find their dinner!

These beauties breed in the Arctic Wetlands and winter on coastal marine areas

Plus, don't they look like they are smiling??

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