Duck vs. Swan — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 19, 2023
Ducks are smaller, often colorful waterfowl with a broad bill and webbed feet. Swans are larger, elegant birds, usually white, with long necks and a more tapered bill.
Difference Between Duck and Swan
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Key Differences
Ducks are generally small to medium-sized birds that belong to the family Anatidae. Swans, although part of the same family, are distinctly larger and often considered more graceful. Ducks often display a variety of colors, while swans are usually white, although black swans do exist.
When it comes to behavior, ducks are generally more social and can often be found in groups. Swans are social too but are more often associated with long-term, monogamous pairs. Ducks are dabblers, often tipping forward in the water to feed, while swans are more likely to forage while swimming.
Ducks make a range of quacking sounds that are generally loud and raucous. Swans are known for their trumpeting calls, which are less frequent but more melodious than duck sounds. Ducks can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments, whereas swans prefer freshwater habitats.
In terms of diet, ducks are omnivorous and eat a wide range of foods including plants and small fish. Swans predominantly eat underwater vegetation but can consume small aquatic animals. Ducks have a more rounded body, while swans exhibit a more elongated form, particularly evident in their long necks.
Finally, ducks are more commonly hunted for sport and food, given their abundance and smaller size. Swans are rarely hunted, partly due to their protected status in many regions and also because of their cultural and aesthetic value.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Smaller
Larger
Color
Varied, often colorful
Usually white, black swans exist
Neck Length
Shorter
Longer
Social Behavior
More social, form larger groups
Often monogamous, less social
Diet
Omnivorous
Mainly herbivorous
Compare with Definitions
Duck
A duck is a small to medium-sized waterfowl with a broad bill.
The duck floated peacefully on the pond.
Swan
A swan is a large, often white waterfowl known for its grace and long neck.
The swan glided elegantly across the lake.
Duck
Ducks are known for their distinctive quacking sounds.
I heard the duck quack from across the lake.
Swan
Swans are usually found in freshwater habitats.
We saw a swan in the freshwater pond.
Duck
Ducks are omnivorous birds that eat a variety of foods.
The duck was busy foraging for insects.
Swan
Swans are known for their trumpeting calls.
The swan's call echoed through the valley.
Duck
Ducks often have colorful plumage, especially males.
The male duck had vibrant feathers.
Swan
Swans are often associated with monogamous pairs.
The two swans have been together for years.
Duck
Ducks can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
We saw a duck near the ocean shore.
Swan
Swans are mostly herbivorous, eating underwater vegetation.
The swan was busy pulling up plants from the lakebed.
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.
Swan
Swans are birds of the family Anatidae within the genus Cygnus. The swans' closest relatives include the geese and ducks.
Duck
A waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
Swan
A large waterbird with a long flexible neck, short legs, webbed feet, a broad bill, and typically all-white plumage.
Duck
A pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
Swan
Move about or go somewhere in a casual, irresponsible, or ostentatious way
Swanning around Europe nowadays are we?
Duck
An amphibious transport vehicle
Visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city
Swan
Any of various large waterbirds of the genera Cygnus and Coscoroba of the family Anatidae, having webbed feet, a long slender neck, and usually white plumage.
Duck
A quick lowering of the head.
Swan
Swan See Cygnus.
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
Swan
To travel around from place to place
"Swanning around Europe nowadays, are we?" (Jeffrey Archer).
Duck
A strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails
Cotton duck
Swan
To declare; swear. Used in the phrase I swan as an interjection. See Note at vum.
Duck
A batsman's score of nought
He was out for a duck
Swan
Any of various species of large, long-necked waterfowl, of genus Cygnus (bird family: Anatidae), most of which have white plumage.
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
Swan
(figuratively) One whose grace etc. suggests a swan.
Duck
Push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment
Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface
Swan
(heraldry) This bird used as a heraldic charge, sometimes with a crown around its neck (e. g. the arms of Buckinghamshire).
Duck
Refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons
Declarer ducked the opening spade lead
Swan
(intransitive) To travel or move about in an aimless, idle, or pretentiously casual way.
Duck
Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
Swan
To declare (chiefly in first-person present constructions).
Duck
A female duck.
Swan
Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninæ. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. Most of the northern species are white. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death.
Duck
The flesh of a duck used as food.
Swan
Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon.
Duck
(Slang) A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
Swan
The constellation Cygnus.
Duck
Often ducks (used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.
Swan
Stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
Duck
A quick lowering of the head or body.
Swan
To declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true;
Before God I swear I am innocent
Duck
A plunge under water.
Swan
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
Duck
A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
Swan
Sweep majestically;
Airplanes were swanning over the mountains
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
Common Curiosities
What family do ducks and swans belong to?
Both belong to the family Anatidae.
What do swans eat?
Swans are mainly herbivorous.
Do ducks and swans live in the same habitats?
They both can live in freshwater environments, but ducks can also be found in saltwater.
What do ducks eat?
Ducks are omnivorous.
What sounds do ducks make?
Ducks are known for their quacking sounds.
Are ducks more social than swans?
Ducks are generally more social and can form larger groups.
What sounds do swans make?
Swans are known for their trumpeting calls.
Can ducks fly?
Most species of ducks are capable of flight.
Do swans mate for life?
Swans often form monogamous pairs that mate for life.
Are ducks smaller than swans?
Yes, ducks are generally smaller than swans.
Can swans fly?
Yes, swans can also fly but less frequently.
Are ducks hunted more than swans?
Yes, ducks are more commonly hunted.
Are swans protected by law?
In many regions, swans are protected due to their cultural and aesthetic value.
Do ducks have shorter necks than swans?
Yes, ducks have shorter necks compared to swans.
Are swans usually white?
Most swans are white, but there are species like the black swan.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
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.
