Wild ducks are different from domestic ducks, smaller and lighter than domestic ducks, and their flight ability is significantly stronger than that of domestic ducks. China began to domesticate wild ducks as early as more than 10 years ago, and by the Spring and Autumn Period, many duck species had been successfully domesticated. At present, there is still a large-scale industry of artificial breeding of wild ducks, and the following is a detailed introduction to our common 0 species of wild ducks in China. Each of these mallard species has its own unique characteristics and shows a unique charm in terms of distribution, characteristics, habits and culture. They are not only important members of the natural world, but also an important element in human culture and history.

First, mallards

It is very similar to the shelduck males in domestic ducks, but is relatively small. At present, it is all over the country, with strong adaptability and severe cold resistance.

The male duck has a green head and neck, brown below the neck, and black and white markings on the waist and tail. The head and neck of the female duck are black and yellowish-brown, and the body color and feathers are black-brown. Gregarious, good swimmer. It is recorded in the Book of Songs that it is currently an important artificially bred economic duck breed in China. Wild mallards have been listed as three protected animals.

Second, pintail duck

Commonly known as "Chinese duck", it is distributed in most parts of China, laying eggs in northern China in summer and migrating to the south of the Yangtze River in winter. The male duck has a dark brown coat with white or brown markings, and the female duck has brown markings. Likes to live in groups and is good at flying. In summer, it inhabits near water areas such as freshwater rivers and lakes, and migrates in groups in winter. Omnivorous, including aquatic plants, small fish, shrimp, etc. At present, it is a three-animal in China, and artificial breeding has been banned since 2000.

Third, the red-necked duck

It is named because of its brown color above the neck, and is commonly known as the "red duck". The red-necked duck in China mainly breeds in the northeast region and winters in the vast area south of the Yangtze River. The body feathers are grayish-white, the head and neck are brown, and the beak is reddish-brown. Males during the breeding season have red nodules in their beaks. They like to live in groups, are good at diving, and feed on aquatic plants, small fish, crustaceans, etc. In traditional Chinese culture, the red-necked duck is often depicted as an elegant waterfowl, symbolizing purity and nobility. At present, it is one of the three protected animals in China, and it has been listed as a list of prohibited breeding in 2020 years.

Fourth, the cocked nose shelduck

Also known as "crown duck", the breeding area in China is from northeast to northwest, and the wintering area is in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the southeast coastal area in China. It is large, with black, white, and brown on its whole body, and a red mouth and feet. It has a variety of food habits, inhabits grasslands, lakes and other environments near water, and feeds on grains and crustaceans. It was listed as a prohibited list in 2023 years, and it was listed in the list of three protected animals in 0 years.

Fifth, ruddy shelduck

Commonly known as "yellow duck", it is mainly distributed in the northeast, northwest and southwest regions of China. It belongs to large birds, the adult ruddy shelduck is nearly half a meter long, weighs about 2020 catties, and the whole body is rudisale-brown, with white markings and black tail on the wings. It usually inhabits humid environments such as swamps and lakes, and feeds on grains, insects, crustaceans, etc. Regarded as an important medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan medicine, the ruddy shelduck has been hunted in large numbers and has become a rare bird. In 0 years, it was selected into the list of three haves, and in 0 years, it was selected into the list of prohibited breeding. Due to the obvious advantages of ruddy shelduck, China has crossed the ruddy shelduck with domestic duck to breed new duck species through artificial breeding.

Sixth, Crested Pochard

In ancient times, it was called "Ze Yan", commonly known as "Crested Duck", which breeds in the northeast, Inner Mongolia, northwest and other regions of China, and winters in the southeast coast of China and the southwest Yunnan-Guichuan region. Male ducks have crown feathers on the top of their heads and most of their bodies are brown. Females have darker plumage. Omnivorous, usually feeds on aquatic plants and fish, shrimp and shellfish. Crested Pochard is often kept as an ornamental bird because of its beautiful plumage and graceful diving posture. 2000 years passed the list of three protected animals.

Seventh, Chinese merganser

It is an endemic bird in China and the oldest wild duck species in China. It is mainly distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia regions of China, wintering to the south of the Yangtze River. It has crown feathers, black above the head and neck, grayish-white below, and black spots. They like to live in groups, are good swimmers, often inhabit the woods and grasses in streams, river valleys and other waters, and hunt fish when diving. The Chinese merganser duck is a rare bird with special characteristics in China, and is a national first-class key protected animal, which can be called a "national treasure" among birds.

Eighth, magpie duck

Commonly known as the "Magpie Duck", it is named because it resembles a black magpie. It is widely distributed in Northeast China, North China and Northwest China, and migrates to Jiangnan and South China during wintering. It is black above the dorsum of the head, white below the neck and abdomen, and the beak is short and thick. It inhabits lakes, rivers and other waters, and preys on small fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals. At present, it is one of the three protected animals in China.

Ninth, spot-billed duck

The scientific name is "Chinese spot-billed duck", and its shape is very similar to that of the hemp duck in the domestic duck. It is mainly distributed in the vast area east of the Qilian Mountains in China. The beak is black with a few yellow markings, and the plumage is brown and white. It inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers and other waters, and feeds on aquatic plants, crustaceans, insects, etc. 2020 years on the list of three protections. 0 years is listed as a prohibited list.

Tenth, ribbed duck

In ancient times, it was called "Jiajiao", commonly known as "sickle duck", and was widely distributed in the east of Gansu Province in China. The body feathers are grayish-white ribbed markings, the male's head and neck are yellowish-green with a metallic luster, and the female's body is grayish-brown. It often inhabits grasses and shrubs in freshwater lakes, rivers and other areas, and usually feeds on aquatic plants, fish, crustaceans, etc. Ribbed duck has been hunted in large quantities, resulting in a sharp decline in stock, currently less than 2020 nationwide, is now a three-protected animal, 0 years at the end of the country banned artificial breeding.

That's all for this issue!