There are three groups of ducks: tree ducks, dabbling ducks and diving ducks. At least one species of each group breeds in our area, but many more can be seen here during spring and fall migrations.

Diving ducks, as the name implies, are those ducks that dive under the water surface to feed. Some travel to surprising depths and can remain underwater for a minute or longer.

Diving ducks, in order to swim faster underwater, have adapted by having feet set farther back on their bodies. This enables them to swim better but quite a hindrance on land. (The main reason they seldom leave the water.) In fact, diving ducks need to “run” across the water surface in order to take flight.

Tree and dabbling ducks can “explode” off the surface to flee quickly.

Grebes, one group of diving ducks, prey on small fish. You can find pied-billed, red-necked and horned grebes in the Times News area. They are adapted so well that they can “outmaneuver” fish and catch them in their own element. I have watched them swim carefully on the surface, locate a fish, quickly submerge, and once in every few forays, surface with a small perch or bluegill.

Buffleheads, tiny bundles of energy, dive underwater to eat insect larvae, small crustaceans and even the small clams that live in local lakes. They are real “characters” and are comical to watch. The males have a distinctive large white patch covering much of their heads.

Meanwhile, merganser species, such as red-breasted, hooded and common mergansers, are also excellent fish catchers. They are very agile swimmers able to catch even elusive small fish. The male “mergs” are beautifully colored, so I suggest you grab a field guide, get a general idea of their appearance and then be even more amazed when you see one in the wild. Mergansers have adapted teethlike projections along their bills to catch and hold fish.

Ring-necked ducks, also called ring bills, submerge to feed on aquatic vegetation. They are generally found closer to shore in shallower water. Their dives may last only 12 to 15 seconds because they have less distance to swim for grub. They too are beautiful birds.

To observe many of these diving duck species, you can travel to Atlantic bays or shore sanctuaries such as Assateague Island, Brigantine or Bombay Hook. Visit those areas from October through March when the diving ducks join Scoters, redhead ducks, brant, and Canada and snow geese, to mention a few.

To save you time and some gas expenses, visit some local areas during the same winter months. Beltzville Lake, Penn Forest and Wild Creek reservoirs, Mauch Chunk Lake, and even the Lehigh River offer them feeding opportunities.

The best conditions to see these and all waterfowl is when the lakes are partially frozen, concentrating the ducks in the small open water areas. The duck numbers at our local areas increase in October and then get bolstered when northern lakes and rivers become locked in ice.

As I mentioned earlier, diving ducks are some of our most beautiful birds, with males sporting the brightest plumage. These breeding colors begin appearing in late winter. Along with the breeding plumage, spring offers the best times to observe the animated breeding displays of the males trying to impress the “girls.”

The best “show” is provided by bufflehead males, so when you have a moment, grab a seat (along a lake shore) and enjoy.

Last Week’s trivia answer: The grouse, killdeer, meadowlark and ovenbird all nest on the ground.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.