From Daffy Duck to Mother Goose, waterfowl seem to be some of the most popular birds to turn into cartoon characters. Perhaps it's the oversized bills, the nasal QUACK/HONK or the slight waddle in the walk that make these birds such a fond part of children's literature and television. Whatever the attraction, these ugly ducklings have been turning into swans for generations.
The main characteristic of ducks, geese and swans (known as waterfowl) is that they all love to swim. Although they have somewhat different diets, they all spend a lot of time in the water. Ducks and swans dip, duck and dive to get at insects, snails, small fish and water plants. Geese mainly graze on land in fields and meadows eating plants, grass and seeds.