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Female ducks (known as hens), make a loud QUACK sound, while male ducks (or drakes) have a raspy, muffled call. Unlike many animals, ducklings are born "precocial," which means they are ready to leave the nest within hours of hatching. They are born with their eyes wide open, with a warm layer of down feathers, and they are not fully dependent on their parents for food. Ducks have very good vision and see in full color. Ducks sleeping on the outer edge of a group in the wild keep one eye open as they sleep. Those in the center of the group confidently close both eyes. Ducks are related to geese and swans. Ducks have webbed feet, which act like paddles. A duck waddles instead of walking because of its webbed feet. Ducks' feathers are waterproof. A special gland near the tail produces oil that spreads and covers the outer coats of feathers. Ducks keep themselves clean by preening themselves with their beaks, which they do often. The also line their nests with feathers plucked from their chests. In the wild, more than 29 different species of geese make annual migrations from breeding grounds to wintering grounds. Geese are faithful, mate for life, and mourn when their partner dies. A male goose is called a gander, and a group of geese is called a gaggle.
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