Ducks are a distinct group of waterfowl belonging to the Anatidae family of birds. Like the other bird species included in this family, such as geese and swans, the different types of ducks are characterized by their small plump bodies, short bills, and of course, their webbed feet. Also, the males of the species are usually the ones with the more colorful plumage.

The most common different types of ducks in the United States are the following:

1. Dabbling Ducks - these got their names from their feeding habits. They wade or dabble in shallow water as they use their bills to skim for food. They are normally seen with their heads bowed in the water poking around for nourishment while their rear ends are sticking up. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has recorded ten different types of ducks which are of the native North American dabbling duck species: the American Black Duck, Mallard, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Mottled Duck, Wigeons, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, and the Northern Shovler.

2. Diving Ducks - these likewise got their names from the way they feed. They dive into the water to catch their food, be it plant or animal matter. The USGS lists the Canvasback, the Greater and Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked, and the Redhead as the species of diving ducks.

3. Sea Ducks - despite the name, some species of sea ducks spend time in freshwater rivers and lakes. There are fifteen different species which are common in the United States. These are the Common Eider, King Eider, Spectacled Eider, Steller's Eider, Black Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, Barrow's Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, Harlequin Duck, Common Goldeneye, and the Hooded Merganser.

4. Stiff-tailed Ducks - as their name implies, these ducks swim with their tail stiffly projected up in the air. There are only two species in the United States: the Ruddy Ducks, which are commonly found in the freshwater ponds and lakes on the West Coast; and the Masked Duck, which is a resident of warmer places such as Texas and Florida.

5. Whistling Ducks - while different types of ducks are commonly associated with quacking, this species is known to vocalize through whistling. Like the Stiff-tailed Ducks, there are only two species in the United States: the Black-Bellied Duck, which is normally found along the southern coast of Texas; and the Fulvous Whistling Duck, which normally resides along the southern states from California to Florida.