Duck

## **Facts**

* All ducks have highly waterproof feathers. A duck's feathers are so waterproof that even when the duck dives underwater, the downy underlayer of feathers right next to the skin will stay completely dry.
* Ducks are omnivorous and will eat grass, aquatic plants, insects, seeds, fruit, fish, crustaceans and other types of food.
* Ducklings younger than 10 days tend to swim and walk as a group, always close to their mother, to avoid the attack of predators.
* Most duck species are monogamous for a breeding season but they do not often mate for life. Instead, they will seek out new mates each year, choosing the healthiest, strongest, best mate who can help them pass on their genes to a new duckling generation.
* Ducks are outgoing, social animals who feel most at ease when they're in a larger group of other ducks.
* Ducks are birds. Ducks are also called ‘waterfowl’ because they are normally found in places where there is water like ponds, streams, and rivers.
* Ducks can live up to 20 years, depending on the species and if well cared for.
* The production of eggs is affected by daylight. When there is more daylight, the ducks will lay more eggs. To prevent this from happening, farmers use artificial lighting so that the ducks have about 17 hours of light a day to produce eggs efficiently.
* The eggs will hatch within 28 days normally, except for the Muscovy duck which takes about 35 days to hatch. The mother duck will keep her brood of ducklings together to protect them from predators.
* Ducks have been domesticated as pets and farm animals for more than 500 years, and all domestic ducks are descended from either the mallard or the Muscovy duck. Mallards, especially, are easy to crossbreed with other types of ducks, and mallards often hybridize with all types of ducks at local ponds.

## Duck Trivia Facts

There are species of ducks found on every continent except Antarctica. Some duck species, such as the mallard, are found in multiple places throughout the world, while others have very small, restricted ranges.A baby duck is called a duckling, and an adult male duck is referred to as a drake. An adult female duck is called a hen or a duck, and a group of ducks can be called a raft, a team, or a paddling. Generic terms like bird, chick, and flock also apply to ducks.All ducks have highly waterproof feathers as a result of an intricate feather structure and a waxy coating that's spread on each feather while preening. A duck's feathers are so waterproof that, even when the duck dives underwater, its downy underlayer of feathers right next to the skin will stay completely dry. The uropygial gland at the base of the tail produces the waxy oil that coats feathers so well—many other birds also have the same gland.Ducks are precocial, which means that their ducklings are covered with down and able to walk and leave the nest just a few hours after hatching. This independence actually helps to protect the young chicks from predators, since they don't need to stay in the vulnerable nest area for long.A hen will lead her ducklings by foot up to half a mile or more to find a suitable water source for swimming and feeding. As soon as a baby duck's down is dry after hatching, they will be able to swim. It isn't unusual to see very tiny ducklings swimming after their mother.Male ducks have an eclipse plumage similar to females that they wear after the breeding season for about a month as their new feathers grow. During that month, they are completely flightless and therefore more vulnerable to predators. Because of this, many male ducks stay in isolated, remote areas or flock together for protection in numbers during this time.Most duck species are monogamous for a breeding season, but they don't typically mate for life. Instead, they will seek out new mates each year, choosing the healthiest, strongest, best mate who can help them pass on their genes to a new duckling generation.While constructing their nests, female ducks will line it with soft down feathers they pluck from their own breast. This gives their eggs the best possible cushioning and insulation and exposes the hen's skin so she can keep the eggs warm more efficiently. Other duck nesting materials include grass, mud, twigs, leaves, reeds, and other plant material.Ducks are omnivorous, opportunistic eaters and will eat grass, aquatic plants, insects, seeds, fruit, fish, nuts, crustaceans, and other types of food. Some ducks, such as mergansers, are more specialized in their dietary needs, but most types of ducks can adapt well to a variety of food sources. This helps ensure they always have adequate nutrition and can often stay in the same range year-round as different foods become available.A duck's bill is shaped to help it forage in mud and strain food from the water. A hard nail at the tip of the bill helps with foraging, while the lamellae—a comb-like structure on the sides of the bill—strains small insects and crustaceans from the water.Most male ducks are silent, and very few ducks actually "quack." Instead, their calls may include squeaks, grunts, groans, chirps, whistles, brays, and growls. Females can also make a wide range of different noises and are usually more vocal than their male counterparts.It is a myth that a duck's quack won't echo. This has been conclusively disproved through scientific acoustic tests and was even featured as "busted" on an episode of the Discovery Channel show Mythbusters.Ducks have been domesticated as pets and farm animals for more than 500 years, and all domestic ducks are descended from either the mallard duck or the muscovy duck. Mallards are easy to crossbreed with other types of ducks and often hybridize with all types of ducks at local ponds. This can lead to very unusual feather shapes and color patterns that can make their offspring confusing to identify.There are more than 40 different breeds of domestic duck. The all-white Pekin duck (also called the Long Island duck) is the most common variety raised for eggs and meat, especially on large commercial farms. Smaller organizations or individual farmers often try out different duck breeds, depending on their needs and taste preferences.Because of their familiarity, ducks are often featured as fictional characters. The two most famous fictional ducks are Disney's Donald Duck, which premiered in 1934, and Warner Bros.' Daffy Duck, which premiered in 1937. Ducks have also been icons for companies and featured in advertising campaigns, and some ducks are even mascots for schools, businesses, and sports teams.

## About Ducks

Ducks are birds and are commonly known as “waterfowl” because they spend so much time in places with water. They love water! They are found everywhere in the world except Antarctica where it is too cold for them. Keep reading for some interesting facts on ducks below.Ducks are birds that are also called “waterfowls” because they are normally found in places with water like marshes, oceans, rivers, ponds, and lakes. This is because ducks love the water.Ducks can live from 2-12 years, depending on species.Some species of ducks migrate or travel long distances every year to breed. Usually they travel to warmer areas or where the water does not freeze so that they can rest and raise their young. The distance may be thousands of miles away.Ducks are found everywhere in the world except the Antarctica which is too cold for them.Ducks are related to geese and swans, but the duck is the smallest of them all.Ducks have shorter necks and wings than other waterfowl, and they also have a stout body. Ducks of different species look different.Some ducks are very colorful like the Perching ducks. Usually, the males or drakes are usually the brightly colored ones while the females (ducks) are usually dull-colored and brown in color so that they can hide and camouflage from their enemies when they are in their nests.Ducks have webbed feet that are designed for swimming. Their webbed feet act like paddles and they waddle instead of walk because of their feet. The duck’s feet cannot feel cold even if it swims in icy cold water because their feet have no nerves or blood vessels.The duck has water-proof feathers. A special gland that produces oil is located near the duck’s tail. This oil spreads and covers the outer coat of the duck’s feathers, making it water-proof. Beneath the water-proof feathers are fluffy and soft feathers that keep the duck warm.Ducks keep their feathers clean by preening. They do this by putting their heads in funny positions and putting their beaks into their body. They preen themselves very often.Most ducks quack, however, the wood duck squeals. The duck’s mouth is called a “bill”. However, ducks bills come in different shapes and sizes. The shape of the bill and body features will determine how the duck hunt for its food.Ducks usually look for a mate in winter. The males will attract the females with their colorful plumage or feathers. Once the female lays 5-12 eggs, she will start to sit on her eggs to keep it warm so that they can hatch into ducklings. The males on the other hand, will be with the other males.The eggs of most ducks will hatch within 28 days. The mother duck will keep her ducklings together to protect them from predators. Animals like the hawk, snakes, raccoon, turtles, and large fish will eat the ducklings.Ducklings are able to fly within 5-8 weeks. The production of eggs are affected by daylight. When there is more daylight, the ducks will lay more eggs.In the months of July to December when daylight is short, ducks slow down their production of eggs. Sometimes, they stop laying eggs completely during these months. To prevent this from happening, farmers use artificial lighting so that the ducks have about 17 hours of light a day to produce eggs efficiently.