Food, feeding behavior, habitat selection when feeding and food selection of downy goldeneye ducklings are treated. Food analyses (n = 10), studies of feeding methods and locations of wild broods, and complementary work on feeding behavior and food selection of captive birds, are described. In the food analyses, fresh water insects dominated. Four kinds of feeding methods were observed: diving (most frequent), surface feeding, dabbling and pecking at emergent plants. Three kinds of feeding locations were watched: open water (most frequent), vegetation of water-lilies and vegetation of emergent plants. The food selection studies indicate selective feeding and preference for freely swimming prey. No size preference was found. The ducklings'' feeding behavior favors detection and catching of prey which is active and freely swimming or well exposed on bottom or on vegetation.