A baby duck is commonly called a duckling. This term refers specifically to young ducks that are still dependent on their mothers for food and protection. Ducklings are often characterized by their soft, downy feathers and are typically yellow in color, although they can also be gray or brown depending on the species.
Ducklings are hatched from eggs and are precocial, meaning they are relatively mature and mobile from the moment they are born. They can swim almost immediately and will usually follow their mother to water, where they learn to forage for food. Throughout their early life stages, ducklings undergo various growth phases and will eventually grow into adult ducks.