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 Because of the trim appearance and swift flight, the pintail is referred to as the "greyhound of the air." Puddle ducks, also known as dabblers, are in a group that tips up the tail when feeding. They also have large, powerful wings for vertical take-off, and their legs are positioned near the center of the body for easier movement on land. A colored wing patch, usually iridescent and called a speculum, is also unique to the puddle duck. An area referred to as the Prairie Pothole region is a prime breeding area for ducks. The region is 1,000 miles long and about 300 miles wide extending from South Dakota northward to Saskatchewan and Alberta. 
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