Puddle ducks, also known as dabblers, are in a group that tips up the tail when feeding.
They also have large, powerful wings for vertical take-off, and their legs are positioned near the center of the body for easier movement on land. A colored wing patch, usually iridescent and called a speculum, is also unique to the puddle duck.
An area referred to as the Prairie Pothole region is a prime breeding area for ducks. The region is 1,000 miles long and about 300 miles wide extending from South Dakota northward to Saskatchewan and Alberta.