What is a duck doing when it dabbling?

Dabbling refers to a feeding behaviour exhibited by several species of ducks and other waterbirds. When dabbling, these birds tilt their bodies forward and submerge their bills just below the surface of the water to feed on aquatic plants, seeds, small invertebrates, and insects floating on or just beneath the surface. The word "dabbling" in this context is used to describe the characteristic dipping motion they make with their bills as they search for food while keeping their feet and tail above the waterline. Unlike diving ducks, which dive underwater to search for food, dabbling ducks do not fully submerge themselves. Dabbling allows them to access a variety of surface-level food sources efficiently.