Dabbling ducks are aquatic birds that search for food near the water's surface rather than dive underwater. These bird also walk on land for food. A dabbling duck has an omnivorous diet; these birds dine on vegetation and invertebrates. Nearly all of Pennsylvania's dabbling ducks belong to the Anas genus. Teals, mallards, wigeons, American black ducks, northern pintails and northern shovelers are some of Pennsylvania's dabbling ducks. Dabbling ducks are also able to fly without needing to run on the water's surface, according to Pennsylvania State University.
Contrary to dabbling ducks, diving ducks like to dive and swim underwater when foraging for food. Some of Pennsylvania's diving ducks are redheads, tufted ducks, greater and lesser scaups, common pochards and canvasbacks. The legs of diving ducks are closer to their rear than other duck species. Diving ducks also have wings with smaller surfaces than other ducks. While their legs and wings makes them proficient swimmers, diving ducks must get a running start on water if they want to fly, the Pennsylvania Game Commission states. Similarly to dabbling ducks, diving ducks have omnivorous tastes, consuming vegetation, fish and invertebrates.
As the names suggest, most of Pennsylvania's sea ducks live in marine environments -- estuaries and coastal regions -- during the winter seasons. Most of Pennsylvania's sea ducks migrate to the Keystone State for breeding purposes. Many sea ducks dive for food, similarly to freshwater diving ducks. Also, sea ducks have special glands which enable them to tolerate saltwater. Two native Pennsylvania sea ducks, hooded and common mergansers, have serrated bills -- bills with teeth -- which help them grasp fish, Ducks Unlimited reports. Other Pennsylvania sea ducks are goldeneyes, scoters, ruddy ducks, king eiders and long-tailed ducks.
Wood ducks are the only perching duck species in Pennsylvania. The wood duck is a perching duck because they're able to climb on tree branches. These ducks prefer to nest in tree branches over the water, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Female wood ducks are prone to use pre-existing nests from other female ducks to lay their eggs. Although some specimens are migratory, many wood ducks live in Pennsylvania year-round. Wood ducks are omnivorous and feed on insects, fish, berries and vegetation. When on the water, these ducks may dabble or dive for food.