Better known as Dabbling Ducks. And more accurately a subfamily (of Ducks, Geese and Swans).
What is a dabbler? Its a duck “not deeply engaged in or concerned with something.”
Just kidding.
It’s a duck that dabbles.
Wait, that’s a circular definition.
Let’s try again.
A dabbler duck is one that “reach[es] with the bill to the bottom of shallow water in order to obtain food.”
NOTE: Other birds may tip forward in that manner (think Canada Goose) but they aren’t dabblers. That term is reserved for the ducks.
This Mallard is in the process of dabbling.
The Mallard who dabbles upside down, however, is more fun to watch. Katherine and I saw one recently at Neary Lagoon who was perhaps new at it; she was waving her legs like crazy to keep her balance.
Or, maybe she was dabbling in another way, as defined by Merriam-Webster: “to paddle, splash, or play in … water.”
Either way, it made for some fun aquatic art.
And, just to be inclusive, a picture of a Mallard foraging along the edges of the lagoon. Technically, not dabbling — unless, of course, this Mallard is not deeply concerned or engaged with this activity. In that case, this Mallard is dabbling.
