Sometimes, however, we get lucky, and chance upon them in more accessible places. Maine’s coast offers treats such as eiders, Harlequin Duck, shearwaters, Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Black-legged Kittiwake, and Roseate and Arctic terns. Canvasback: This is a large, flashy diving duck with a pale gray body, black breast and tail and gray legs and feet. It feeds primarily on aquatic plants. Inland, sought-after species include Spruce Grouse, American Three-toed and Black-backed woodpeckers, Gray Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and Bicknell’s Thrush. Redhead: This medium-sized diving duck has a gray back and sides, black upper back, breast, rump and tail, and white belly. Canvasbacks and other diving ducks have suffered from the … Ring-necked ducks, in contrast, have increased by some 250 percent, both in the traditional western survey area (see chart at left) and in the east, where surveys began in 1990. Their feet are placed further back on their body, compared to a dabbling duck, giving them more efficient propulsion on and under the water, which makes them better swimmers, and divers. Securing the Future. Perching ducks can roost in trees thanks to their long claws, and they typically dive for food. In the breeding season they may lay their eggs further inland by lakes, streams and rivers, because the young take time to develop their ability to tolerate salt water. The head and neck are rufous-brown, and the blue-gray bill is black-tipped; eyes are yellow. Females are duller and browner, with a light area around the base of the bill. They are part of Anatidae, the diverse and very large family that includes ducks, geese, and swans.. These ducks mainly feed by diving underwater for their food on fresh water lakes or on estuaries. Feeds mostly on aquatic vegetation. Mid-winter activity budgets and diving behaviors of Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) at Isle au Haut, Maine were examined. Diving Ducks, Loons, and Cormorants This is not an easy group of birds to get close to; most like to congregate and feed in the middle of lakes or large rivers, far away from the shore. The diving ducks, commonly called pochards or scaups, are a category of duck which feed by diving beneath the surface of the water. It has a rapid direct flight with strong wing beats and flies high, usually in V- formations. In the following gallery of pictures, you'll discover markings, information, and trivia about various types of popular ducks from around the world. Feeding was the most frequent activity and the number of hours during the day devoted to feeding increased from December to March as day length increased. The head is red-brown with a long sloping profile, a long dark bill and red eyes. Diving ducks, the most agile swimmers, go deep down into waters to find their dinners. Many sea ducks winter along the coasts and have developed specialized salt glands to allow them to tolerate salt water.