Ducks are unique because the name for a group changes based on their environment, activity, and the number of individuals involved. This variability has led to the development of several specific collective nouns. These distinct names offer insight into how people have observed this common waterfowl.
The General Collective Nouns
The most straightforward and widely accepted term for any group of ducks, regardless of location, is a “flock.” This general term applies whether the ducks are standing on land, walking, or taking flight, functioning as the default description for most bird groups. When ducks are observed on land, the informal term “waddle” is sometimes used, referencing their distinctive side-to-side gait.
A highly specific term is a “brace,” which describes a pair of ducks. This term originated in medieval hunting terminology, where a brace referred to two game animals of the same kind. While “flock” covers any number, “brace” specifically quantifies the group as two.
Specialized Names for Ducks on Water and In Flight
The activity of ducks on the water generates unique collective nouns, such as a “raft” or a “paddling.” A “raft” is used when a group of ducks is closely huddled together on the water’s surface. This behavior is a survival mechanism, as the tightly packed group offers safety in numbers against potential predators.
Alternatively, a group of ducks actively swimming on the water can be called a “paddling.” This name references the action of their webbed feet rapidly propelling them forward beneath the surface. In the air, a group of migratory ducks flying in a V-shaped formation is known as a “skein.” The name “skein” originated from the visual similarity between the formation of birds and a length of yarn.
Terminology for Individual Ducks and Young
Specific terms exist to identify individual ducks by sex and age. An adult male duck is known as a “drake.” Drakes are recognized by their brighter, often iridescent plumage and a distinct curled feather on their tail. Their vocalizations are typically low and raspy, which contrasts with the female’s call.
The adult female is referred to as a “hen” or simply a “duck.” Female ducks exhibit more subdued, camouflaged brown plumage, which provides better concealment while nesting. The hen is responsible for the loud, familiar “quack” sound, a vocalization rare among drakes. The young of either sex are called “ducklings” until they grow their first complete set of adult feathers.