In The Deciduous Forests of Europe, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how the forests of Eastern Europe burst into life in spring. Newly hatched Mandarin ducks take a great leap from their tree-hole nest. Watch them soar one by one to the ground and land safely on the leaves piled below. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Ducks in the Arctic, narrator Sir David Attenborough shows ducks on their annual migration through the Arctic. They stop to rest and eat where gaps in the ice allow them to access the rich waters below. But the ocean is freezing over and when a winter storm comes, the gamble of staying longer in the freezing Arctic will not pay off for some of them. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Frozen Planet, a series that shows a fragile world of beauty and hostility, where nature finds a way to survive and thrive in frigid conditions.
Which duck makes the classic “quack” you hear at ponds and parks? Surprisingly, it’s usually the female mallard!
Meet one of the world’s most widespread and adaptable ducks. Explore how mallards move between water, land, and sky, from tipping upside down to feed underwater to flying at speeds of around 55 miles per hour. You'll also discover why males and females look so different, how ducklings become independent within hours of hatching, and why healthy wetlands matter even to a species that seems to be everywhere.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce an animal, wildlife, or life science unit
- Support nonfiction reading and vocabulary practice
- Explore animal adaptations, behaviors, and habitats
- Compare animals and the ecosystems they live in
- Practice finding and organizing information from nonfiction texts
- Prepare students for animal research projects or presentations (use our animal report templates!)
- Connect science learning to conservation and environmental issues
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
In Ducks — From Beak to Feet, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers find some ducks! Join the Ramblers as they learn how ducks have adapted to wetlands. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In Where Do Ducks Live?, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers are on a quest to find ducks! Join them as they find a pond and learn about how ducks’ features make them unique, and how ducks disperse seeds. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In Ducks, Nature’s Pest Control, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers explore a garden. They notice that some plants have holes in the leaves! That means there are pests in the garden. Which animal might be able to keep the garden healthy? This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In Diving and Dabbling Ducks, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers are at a pond. They notice some ducks diving for food and others dipping their beaks into the water. Ranger Hamza explains how diving and dabbling ducks help keep the pond in balance. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In North American Wood Ducklings Take a Trust Fall, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how baby ducks hatch inside the hollow of a tree over 60 feet above the ground. Though they are safe there, they must get down to the water to feed. The mother calls to them from the water below and the babies, unable to fly, survive the long fall by stretching out their bodies. They then waddle to the water where they are safe. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Close Look at Duck Nests and Down Feathers, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers have found a duck nest! Tag along as they learn how ducks make nests and take a close look at ducks’ down feathers. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In The Deciduous Forests of Europe, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how the forests of Eastern Europe burst into life in spring. Newly hatched Mandarin ducks take a great leap from their tree-hole nest. Watch them soar one by one to the ground and land safely on the leaves piled below. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Ducks in the Arctic, narrator Sir David Attenborough shows ducks on their annual migration through the Arctic. They stop to rest and eat where gaps in the ice allow them to access the rich waters below. But the ocean is freezing over and when a winter storm comes, the gamble of staying longer in the freezing Arctic will not pay off for some of them. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Frozen Planet, a series that shows a fragile world of beauty and hostility, where nature finds a way to survive and thrive in frigid conditions.
Which duck makes the classic “quack” you hear at ponds and parks? Surprisingly, it’s usually the female mallard!
Meet one of the world’s most widespread and adaptable ducks. Explore how mallards move between water, land, and sky, from tipping upside down to feed underwater to flying at speeds of around 55 miles per hour. You'll also discover why males and females look so different, how ducklings become independent within hours of hatching, and why healthy wetlands matter even to a species that seems to be everywhere.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce an animal, wildlife, or life science unit
- Support nonfiction reading and vocabulary practice
- Explore animal adaptations, behaviors, and habitats
- Compare animals and the ecosystems they live in
- Practice finding and organizing information from nonfiction texts
- Prepare students for animal research projects or presentations (use our animal report templates!)
- Connect science learning to conservation and environmental issues
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
In Ducks — From Beak to Feet, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers find some ducks! Join the Ramblers as they learn how ducks have adapted to wetlands. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In Where Do Ducks Live?, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers are on a quest to find ducks! Join them as they find a pond and learn about how ducks’ features make them unique, and how ducks disperse seeds. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In Ducks, Nature’s Pest Control, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers explore a garden. They notice that some plants have holes in the leaves! That means there are pests in the garden. Which animal might be able to keep the garden healthy? This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In Diving and Dabbling Ducks, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers are at a pond. They notice some ducks diving for food and others dipping their beaks into the water. Ranger Hamza explains how diving and dabbling ducks help keep the pond in balance. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.
In North American Wood Ducklings Take a Trust Fall, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how baby ducks hatch inside the hollow of a tree over 60 feet above the ground. Though they are safe there, they must get down to the water to feed. The mother calls to them from the water below and the babies, unable to fly, survive the long fall by stretching out their bodies. They then waddle to the water where they are safe. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Close Look at Duck Nests and Down Feathers, Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers have found a duck nest! Tag along as they learn how ducks make nests and take a close look at ducks’ down feathers. This video is excerpted from BBC's Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest, a nature exploration show in which Ranger Hamza and the Ramblers go on quests to discover nature’s wonders and the important role they play in our environment.