Ducks fall into three broad groups, and each one calls for a different hunt.

Puddle ducks
Mallards, pintails, wigeon, gadwall, teal and wood ducks feed in shallow water and spring straight up when flushed.

Diving ducks
Canvasbacks, redheads, scaup, ring-necks and buffleheads dive for food in deeper water and run across the surface to take off.
Sea ducks
Eiders, scoters and long-tailed ducks live along the coasts.
Know your ducks
Bag limits differ by species, so identifying ducks in flight matters.