There are many species of ducks.
The duck is a water bird probably familiar to most young children. Zoos and parks often prominently feature ponds or lakes of swimming ducks which readily eat bread and cracker scraps tossed into the water. Ducks vary in appearance based on the species, and differences may be noted in feather color and size. Introduce the characteristics of a duck to young children and then reinforce the duck traits through the use of songs and other activities.
Feathers
All ducks have feathers. A duck's feathers are water resistant so the duck's body stays warm and dry. A duck's body makes a special kind of body oil that coats the feathers to make the duck waterproof. Put on a rain poncho and let the children pour water on your arm. Discuss how the water rolls off of the poncho. Compare the poncho to the duck's feathers. Under the waterproof feathers, a duck has very soft feathers called "down." Open a seam on a down-filled pillow and let the children hold and feel the soft downy feathers.
Wings
All ducks have wings. All birds have wings. Not all birds can fly, but a duck flies. Ducks swim and float on water, but can also fly away when the weather is too cold. When ducks fly in big groups they are called flocks. Ducks fly by moving their wings as other birds do. Discuss other types of birds that fly and compare those birds to a duck.
Webbed Feet
The webbed feet on a duck allow the duck to swim. Bring in a scuba flipper and let the children examine it. Show the children a photo or illustration of a duck's webbed foot. Ducks have specially made feet that do not have nerves, so the duck foot never feels cold even in mostly frozen water. Let the children wear a pair of swimming flippers. Note how the child waddles. Ducks waddle because of their webbed flippers. Sing songs about waddling ducks (see link in Resources) to reinforce the concept of webbed duck feet; or read books about ducks, such as Dr. Seuss's "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet."
Beaks
Ducks, like other birds, have a hard mouth which is called a beak. A duck's beak is called a bill. Bills can be black, brown, orange or other colors depending on the species of duck. Discuss how humans have different lip colors and relate this to the different bill colors of a duck. Some ducks dig in the mud for food and have wide beaks. Ducks that dive in the water for fish have skinny beaks with sharper edges. Ducks with wide, short beaks stick their heads beneath the water and grab food, such as fish or bread, from the water. A duck's beak contains its nose and mouth. A duck doesn't have a separate nose. The nostrils are positioned on top of the beak. A duck's eyes are on the feathery head above the beak. Print and color duck masks to reinforce beak concepts (see link in Resources).
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