Two Ways to Feed, One Lake to Share 

Peace Valley Nature Center is home to many duck species, each adapted to find food in its own unique way. As a designated Important Bird Area (IBA), PVNC provides vital habitat for both resident and migratory waterfowl. This rich, protected environment offers the food, shelter, and resting space birds need throughout the year—and especially during long seasonal migrations. By watching how they feed, you can discover which ducks skim the surface and which ones dive below.

Dabbling Ducks 

Dabblers—like Mallards and Wood Ducks—feed at the surface. They “tip up,” stretching their heads underwater while their tails stick up in the air. Dabblers graze on plants, seeds, and insects found in shallow water and along the shoreline.

Diving Ducks 

Divers—such as Common Mergansers, Cormorants, and Common Loons—plunge beneath the surface to search for food. With powerful legs and compact bodies, they swim underwater to reach fish, snails, and deeper aquatic plants.