Ducks

Ducks are wide-ranging, found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in both fresh and sea water and are well adapted to their aquatic home. In fact, their feathers are so waterproof that the underlayer of downy feathers remain dry even when they dive!

## Amazing Facts About the Duck

Ducks, along with geese and swans, are members of the Anatidae family. There are around 162 species found worldwide except Antarctica. While ducks are known for their quack, the reality is, many don’t. They do make noise though and can be heard making a variety of grunts, whistles and even yodels.

## What do Ducks eat?

Ducks are omnivores so feed on a variety of plants and animals. Diet depends on a range of factors including species and habitat. For example, dabbling Ducks (the tipping Ducks) tend to feed on plants and insects, while diving Ducks, which are better suited for deeper water, favour fish and crustaceans. In the UK, feeding ducks bread is a popular activity, but not one that you should take up. Bread is actually bad for ducks – read about why in our blog post.

## Are Ducks good at flying?

While we see them mostly in the water, Ducks are excellent flyers. Every year, during the autumn months, they migrate to warmer countries. Different Duck species fly different routes and distances, some over thousands of miles. For example, some of the mallards in the UK during winter months may be migrants from Europe. Ducks can reach up to 96.6 km/h (60 miles/h) when flying.

## How are Ducks so adapted to water?

Ducks spend much of their lives in the water, and they are well adapted. Their webbed feet help them to swim and to keep their balance on muddy riverbanks, while their bills have small bristles that filter food from the water.  The outer layer of feathers is extremely waterproof and keeps the underlayer dry when they dive.

## What do Ducks eat?

Ducks are omnivores so feed on a variety of plants and animals. Diet depends on a range of factors including species and habitat. For example, dabbling Ducks (the tipping Ducks) tend to feed on plants and insects, while diving Ducks, which are better suited for deeper water, favour fish and crustaceans. In the UK, feeding ducks bread is a popular activity, but not one that you should take up. Bread is actually bad for ducks – read about why in our blog post.

## Are Ducks good at flying?

While we see them mostly in the water, Ducks are excellent flyers. Every year, during the autumn months, they migrate to warmer countries. Different Duck species fly different routes and distances, some over thousands of miles. For example, some of the mallards in the UK during winter months may be migrants from Europe. Ducks can reach up to 96.6 km/h (60 miles/h) when flying.

## How are Ducks so adapted to water?

Ducks spend much of their lives in the water, and they are well adapted. Their webbed feet help them to swim and to keep their balance on muddy riverbanks, while their bills have small bristles that filter food from the water.  The outer layer of feathers is extremely waterproof and keeps the underlayer dry when they dive.

## Are Ducks good parents?

Female Ducks are very caring parents, even before they lay their eggs. They use feathers from their breast, along with grass and leaves, to insulate their nests and keep the eggs warm and safe. Nests are built in a concealed location, and ducks usually have between 10–15 eggs, depending on species.

Male ducks usually have little to do with their offspring, often leaving the female during incubation or once the eggs have hatched, though it depends on species. Females remain with their young for longer, usually until they take flight, though again it varies substantially with species. For example, some sea ducks may only stay with their young for a couple of weeks.

## What are the greatest threats to Ducks?

Ducks may be doing well compared to other species of animals, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any threats and high populations could crash very easily.

Climate change is a big worry. Ducks require water sources such as ponds and rivers, so droughts can have a substantial effect on them. However, the opposite is also true in that floods can destroy their nests. Floods are sometimes aided unintentionally by flood controls used to protect farmland. So, climate change along with agriculture has resulted in much habitat loss for Ducks.

## More 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. Ducks are a type of bird which means they have feathers, beaks and wings.