Birds vs. Duck
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 23, 2023
Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves, while a duck is a specific waterfowl species within this class.
Key Differences
The diversity in the bird class is profound, with members ranging from flightless penguins to soaring eagles, and their adaptability allows them to colonize diverse habitats. Birds play crucial ecological roles, such as pollinators, predators, scavengers, and prey, contributing to the balance of their respective ecosystems. Their presence or absence in an ecosystem often serves as an indicator of environmental health and stability.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Birds represent a diverse class, Aves, encompassing a wide range of species exhibiting variations in size, habitat, diet, and behavior. They are characterized by feathers, beaks, and laying of hard-shelled eggs, and they are found globally from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Birds exhibit an extensive array of adaptations, allowing them to inhabit varied environments, including terrestrial, aerial, and aquatic ecosystems. The term "birds" is thus a broad classification that includes numerous species, each with its unique set of characteristics.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
In essence, while "birds" refers to an overarching category inclusive of varied species with distinctive attributes, "duck" signifies a specific species within this class, having characteristics and behaviors adapted to aquatic life. The broad scope of birds' classification encompasses the specificity of ducks, illustrating the hierarchical nature of biological classification.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
A duck, on the other hand, is a specific member of the bird class, predominantly associated with aquatic environments. Ducks are part of the family Anatidae and are known for their dabbling behavior in water bodies. Unlike the general bird population, ducks have specialized features like webbed feet for swimming and a unique bill structure, allowing them to filter feed in water. Ducks, being a subset of birds, exhibit a narrowed set of characteristics and behaviors in alignment with their ecological niche.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
In contrast, ducks exhibit a more streamlined set of roles and characteristics due to their specialization in aquatic habitats. They primarily inhabit wetlands, lakes, and rivers, contributing to the ecosystems by being primary consumers and acting as prey for numerous aquatic predators. Ducks hold significance in human culture as well, being domesticated for various purposes, including meat, eggs, and feathers.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Comparison Chart
Classification
A diverse class constituting various species.
A specific species within the class Aves.
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Sep 23, 2023
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Habitat
Inhabit varied ecosystems globally.
Primarily associated with aquatic environments.
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Sep 23, 2023
Characteristics
Exhibit a wide range of characteristics.
Have specialized features like webbed feet.
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Sep 23, 2023
Ecological Roles
Play varied ecological roles.
Contribute to aquatic ecosystems as consumers and prey.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Relationship to Humans
Diverse relationships including pets and wild species.
Domesticated for meat, eggs, and feathers.
Samantha Walker
Sep 23, 2023
Birds and Duck Definitions
Birds
Warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates with feathers.
Birds like eagles are known for their excellent vision.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Duck
A bird with webbed feet and a broad flat beak.
The duck dabbled in the pond, looking for food.
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Sep 23, 2023
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Birds
Avian species capable of flight due to the presence of wings.
Birds like hummingbirds can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Duck
Domesticated primarily for its meat, eggs, and feathers.
The Pekin duck is a domesticated species popular for its meat.
Samantha Walker
Sep 23, 2023
Birds
Creatures with a high metabolic rate and a strong yet lightweight skeleton.
Birds like penguins have adapted to life in the Antarctic.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Birds
Species with a four-chambered heart and a strong yet lightweight beak.
The ostrich is one of the largest species of birds and is flightless.
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Sep 23, 2023
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Birds
Any of various warm-blooded egg-laying feathered vertebrates of the class Aves, having forelimbs modified to form wings.
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Apr 10, 2023
Birds
Such an animal, especially a chicken or turkey, used as food
Put the bird in the oven.
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Apr 10, 2023
Birds
(Slang) A person, especially one who is odd or remarkable
A sly old bird.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
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Apr 10, 2023
Birds
An obscene gesture of anger, defiance, or derision made by pointing or jabbing the middle finger upward.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
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Apr 10, 2023
Birds
Animals of the class Aves, characterized by a beak with no teeth.
Many birds, such as robins, are known for their melodious songs.
Samantha Walker
Sep 23, 2023
Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
Ducked behind a bush.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
Duck out on one's family.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
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Apr 10, 2023
Duck
Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
She skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
He evaded the questions skillfully
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Duck
A waterfowl species found in both freshwater and seawater.
The mallard is a common species of duck found in many parts of the world.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Duck
A member of the family Anatidae.
A duck has specialized glands to keep its feathers waterproof.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Duck
A bird adapted to swimming, floating on water, and diving.
The duck dove underwater to catch its prey.
Samantha Walker
Sep 23, 2023
FAQs
Are ducks only found in freshwater bodies?
No, some species of ducks inhabit both freshwater and seawater.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Do all ducks have webbed feet?
Yes, ducks have webbed feet to aid in swimming.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Are all birds capable of flight?
No, some birds like ostriches and penguins are flightless.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Do all birds have feathers?
Yes, one of the defining characteristics of birds is the presence of feathers.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
Are ducks omnivorous?
Yes, ducks are omnivorous, eating plants, insects, and small fish.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can all birds sing?
Not all birds sing, but many use vocalizations for communication.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Do ducks have teeth?
Ducks do not have teeth but have serrated edges in their beaks called lamellae.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Can all birds swim?
Not all birds can swim; many are adapted to flying or running.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Are all birds vertebrates?
Yes, all birds are vertebrates with a backbone.
Samantha Walker
Sep 23, 2023
Can ducks fly long distances?
Many duck species are migratory and can fly long distances.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
