Paradise Duck with young.
The paradise shelduck is a freshwater and a coastal duck. All ducklings readily take to water, but young paradise shelduck are not afraid to venture out into small surf. They have been seen surfing in on tiny waves at Opunake Beach.
When sensing danger, parents have been observed sending their chicks out into the surf, while they stay on the shoreline in defense.
Paradise shelduck are good swimmers under water, using their wings. As with all ducks, chicks immediately take to paddling, but also start swimming underwater right away. Original public domain image from Flickr