Dabbling ducks, such as this mallard drake, can dive, but typically tip up to feed on aquatic plant matter.
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Louisiana has a lot of water and associated waterfowl. Duck and goose hunting is a big deal here. I wanted to take an opportunity to go over some basics. Serious waterfowlers may be interested.
There are seven taxonomic groups of waterfowl. Examples of most of these are found locally, and many are hunted here.
The one of the most interest in Louisiana is the dabbling (puddle) ducks. Most of the ducks hunted in Louisiana are in this group. Wood ducks, mallards, gadwalls, northern pintail, American widgeon, teal and northern shovelers are all dabbling ducks.
They can take flight directly from the water without pattering along the surface. They sit relatively high in the water. Although they can dive, they usually feed by tipping up. They have relatively large wings and can look like they are flying slower because their wing beat is slower than diving ducks. They eat mostly plant matter and are generally better table fare than diving ducks.
Diving ducks are designed more for diving and swimming than dabbling ducks. They sit lower in the water. Their legs are positioned more aft, enabling more efficient swimming. Typically, they patter along the surface before getting airborne.
The most common one around here, and often found in association with dabbling ducks, is the ring-necked duck. Others in this group, usually found in open water, include: scaup, canvasbacks, redheads, American goldeneye and bufflehead. They typically feed more on animal matter than dabbling ducks. They are not as prized table fare. They usually have a stronger taste.
Mergansers are in a separate group. Their pencil-like bill with serrations reflect their diet. They feed mostly on aquatic animal matter, such as fish, mussles, crayfish and other invertebrates. There are a couple of species found in the ocean. The species locally common is the hooded merganser. Good luck if you can make them edible. They smell so fishy my Boykin Spaniels don't think they are a duck.
The ruddy duck is in a separate group. They look kind of comical, very low in the water Their legs are set far aft, and they feed mostly by diving for animal matter. They take a lot of bleeding out in water and marinating to make edible.
Geese are prime Louisiana-hunted waterfowl. They walk more and swim less than ducks. Their legs are positioned accordingly, closer to midship. They feed usually as a grazer on grass and forbs. Key ones here are the very abundant snow (includes blue) goose, the darker white-fronted goose, known as specklebelly, and the dark Canada goose.
There are two species of whistling (tree) ducks, the fulvous and black-bellied. They have relatively long legs. The black-bellied has a drooped neck appearance when flying. They seem to be becoming much more common locally recently.
Swans are very large white waterfowl. They are hunted in North Carolina and maybe Alaska, but are not native to Louisiana and not hunted here.
So, enjoy the varied and abundant waterfowl resources we have. We have almost a month left to hunt this year.