Duck vs. Penguin — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 12, 2024
Ducks are waterfowl known for their ability to fly and wide variety of habitats, whereas penguins are flightless birds adapted to marine life in the Southern Hemisphere.
Difference Between Duck and Penguin
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ducks belong to the family Anatidae and are capable of flying, using their strong wings for migration, whereas penguins are members of the family Spheniscidae, adapted for swimming with their flipper-like wings, and cannot fly.
Ducks are found worldwide in both freshwater and saltwater environments, adaptable to a range of habitats from rural ponds to urban areas, whereas penguins are exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in Antarctica and surrounding coastal areas.
Ducks have waterproof feathers and a layer of fat that helps them in floating and staying warm in cold waters, while penguins have a layer of blubber under their skin and tightly packed feathers that provide insulation in frigid waters.
Ducks typically have a varied diet that includes aquatic plants, small fish, and insects, depending on their environment, on the other hand, penguins primarily feed on fish, squid, and other marine organisms, using their excellent diving capabilities.
While ducks are often migratory, traveling to different climates based on the season, penguins are generally non-migratory, staying within the same cold climate zone or moving within marine environments.
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Comparison Chart
Family
Anatidae
Spheniscidae
Ability to Fly
Capable of flight
Flightless
Habitat
Worldwide in various water environments
Southern Hemisphere, primarily coastal
Adaptations
Waterproof feathers, fat layer for buoyancy
Blubber, flipper-like wings for swimming
Diet
Aquatic plants, insects, small fish
Fish, squid, krill
Migration
Often migratory, seasonal movements
Generally non-migratory
Compare with Definitions
Duck
Characterized by broad, flat beaks and webbed feet for swimming.
Ducks use their webbed feet to paddle efficiently in water.
Penguin
A flightless bird adapted to marine life and living mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
Emperor penguins are native to Antarctica.
Duck
Typically omnivorous, eating a mix of aquatic plants and animals.
Ducks often tip up in water to feed on underwater plants.
Penguin
Covered in dense, oily feathers that provide insulation against cold.
Penguin feathers keep them warm in icy waters.
Duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are also members of the same family.
Penguin
Uses flipper-like wings to swim underwater.
Penguins can dive deep into the ocean to catch fish.
Duck
A waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
Penguin
Feeds primarily on marine organisms like fish and squid.
Penguins hunt underwater, using their speed to catch prey.
Duck
A pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
Penguin
Penguins (order Sphenisciformes , family Spheniscidae ) are a group of aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galápagos penguin, found north of the Equator.
Duck
An amphibious transport vehicle
Visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city
Penguin
Any of various stout, flightless aquatic birds of the family Spheniscidae, of the Southern Hemisphere, having flipperlike wings and webbed feet adapted for swimming and diving, short scalelike feathers, and white underparts with a dark back.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head.
Penguin
(Obsolete) The great auk.
Duck
Dear; darling (used as an informal or affectionate form of address, especially among cockneys)
Where've yer been, ducks!
It's time you changed, my duck
Penguin
Any of several flightless sea birds, of order Sphenisciformes, found in the Southern Hemisphere, marked by their usual upright stance, walking on short legs, and (generally) their stark black and white plumage.
Duck
A strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails
Cotton duck
Penguin
An auk (sometimes especially a great auk), a bird of the Northern Hemisphere.
Duck
A batsman's score of nought
He was out for a duck
Penguin
(slang) A nun (association through appearance, because of the often black-and-white habit).
Duck
Lower the head or the body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen
Spectators ducked for cover
He ducked his head and entered
Penguin
(juggling) A type of catch where the palm of the hand is facing towards the leg with the arm stretched downward, resembling the flipper of a penguin.
Duck
Push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment
Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface
Penguin
A spiny bromeliad with egg-shaped fleshy fruit, Bromelia pinguin.
Duck
Refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons
Declarer ducked the opening spade lead
Penguin
A member of the air force who does not fly aircraft.
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Penguin
Any bird of the order Impennes, or Ptilopteri. They are covered with short, thick feathers, almost scalelike on the wings, which are without true quills. They are unable to fly, but use their wings to aid in diving, in which they are very expert. See King penguin, under Jackass.
Duck
A female duck.
Penguin
The egg-shaped fleshy fruit of a West Indian plant (Bromelia Pinguin) of the Pineapple family; also, the plant itself, which has rigid, pointed, and spiny-toothed leaves, and is used for hedges.
Duck
The flesh of a duck used as food.
Penguin
Short-legged flightless birds of cold southern especially Antarctic regions having webbed feet and wings modified as flippers
Duck
(Slang) A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
Penguin
Known for their distinctive black and white coloring.
The black and white plumage of penguins camouflages them from predators.
Duck
Often ducks (used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head or body.
Duck
A plunge under water.
Duck
A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
Duck
Ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white pants.
Duck
An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
Duck
A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.
Duck
To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something
Ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
Duck
To evade; dodge
Duck responsibility.
Ducked the reporter's question.
Duck
To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.
Duck
In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
Duck
To lower the head or body.
Duck
To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen
Ducked behind a bush.
Duck
To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
Duck
To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out
Duck out on one's family.
Duck
In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
Duck
(intransitive) To quickly lower the head or body, often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck! There's a branch falling off the tree!
Duck
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Duck
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
Duck
(intransitive) To bow.
Duck
(transitive) To evade doing something.
Duck
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
Duck
(intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute, can you hold my bag?
Duck
(caving) A cave passage containing water with low, or no, airspace.
Duck
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
Duck
Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
Duck
(uncountable) The flesh of a duck used as food.
Duck
(cricket) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
Duck
(slang) A playing card with the rank of two.
Duck
A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Duck
A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
Duck
(US) A cairn used to mark a trail.
Duck
One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
Duck
Synonym of lame duck
Duck
(medicine) A long-necked medical urinal for men.
Duck
A faggot; a meatball made from offal.
Duck
A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.
Duck
(in plural) Trousers made of such material.
Duck
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
Duck
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
Duck
A pet; a darling.
Duck
A linen (or sometimes cotton) fabric, finer and lighter than canvas, - used for the lighter sails of vessels, the sacking of beds, and sometimes for men's clothing.
Duck
The light clothes worn by sailors in hot climates.
Duck
Any bird of the subfamily Anatinæ, family Anatidæ.
Duck
A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
Here be, without duck or nod,Other trippings to be trod.
Duck
To thrust or plunge under water or other liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams, after ducking the squire twice or thrice, leaped out of the tub.
Duck
To plunge the head of under water, immediately withdrawing it; as, duck the boy.
Duck
To bow; to bob down; to move quickly with a downward motion.
Duck
To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to dive; to plunge the head in water or other liquid; to dip.
In Tiber ducking thrice by break of day.
Duck
To drop the head or person suddenly; to bow.
The learned pateDucks to the golden fool.
Duck
Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
Duck
(cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
Duck
Flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
Duck
A heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
Duck
To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away;
Before he could duck, another stone struck him
Duck
Submerge or plunge suddenly
Duck
Dip into a liquid;
He dipped into the pool
Duck
Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues);
He dodged the issue
She skirted the problem
They tend to evade their responsibilities
He evaded the questions skillfully
Duck
A waterfowl known for its ability to fly and live in a variety of aquatic environments.
The mallard, a type of duck, is common in local ponds.
Duck
Known for their migratory patterns, moving seasonally.
Ducks migrate southward each winter to find warmer climates.
Duck
Ducks produce a range of sounds and are often social birds.
The quacking of ducks is a familiar sound in wetland areas.
Common Curiosities
Can penguins fly?
No, penguins are flightless; their wings are adapted for swimming.
Where can ducks be found?
Ducks are found in a variety of habitats around the world, including both freshwater and saltwater.
What is a duck?
A duck is a type of waterfowl that is known for its ability to fly and live in a range of aquatic environments.
What is a penguin?
A penguin is a flightless bird adapted for life in marine environments, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere.
Why do ducks quack?
Ducks quack as a form of communication, which can include signaling distress or maintaining social bonds.
What do penguins eat?
Penguins primarily feed on fish, squid, and other marine life.
Are all penguins from Antarctica?
While many species live in and around Antarctica, penguins can also be found in southern Africa, Australia, and South America.
What adaptations help penguins swim?
Penguins have flipper-like wings and streamlined bodies that make them excellent swimmers.
How deep can penguins dive?
Some penguin species can dive over 500 meters deep in search of food.
How do ducks stay warm in water?
Ducks have waterproof feathers and a layer of fat that provide insulation.
How do penguins care for their young?
Penguins are known for their extensive parental care, with both parents often helping to raise their young.
Do ducks migrate?
Many duck species migrate seasonally, traveling to warmer areas during colder months.
What threats do penguins face?
Penguins face several threats, including climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing in their hunting grounds.
What is the most common type of duck?
The mallard is one of the most common and widely recognized duck species.
Can ducks live in saltwater?
Yes, some duck species are adapted to saltwater environments, such as sea ducks.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
