Duck

Duck species splash through ponds, marshes, rivers, and coastal bays on every continent except Antarctica. Webbed feet act like paddles, and waterproof feathers keep bodies dry as ducks dabble on the surface or dive underwater for plants, seeds, insects, and crustaceans. Dabbling ducks such as mallards tip forward with tails in the air, while diving ducks like canvasbacks fold wings and plunge after fish or mussels. Hollow bones make ducks buoyant, and flattened bills filter tiny food particles from murky water.

Ducks migrate along flyways that trace river valleys or coastlines, timing their journeys with seasonal food supplies. Some species travel thousands of miles between Arctic breeding grounds and tropical wintering areas, using stars, the sun, and Earth’s magnetic field as guides. Flocks form V-shaped formations that reduce wind drag for the birds behind the leader. Domestic ducks descended from mallards accompany humans on farms, eating pests in orchards and providing eggs, meat, and down feathers for clothing and bedding.

Social behaviors include quacks, whistles, and soft grunts that maintain contact among mates and ducklings. Male ducks, called drakes, often sport bright plumage during courtship displays, while females blend with marsh vegetation to camouflage nests. Ducklings hatch covered in insulating down and leave the nest within a day to follow their mother to water. Broods learn to feed themselves quickly but rely on the hen for warmth and protection until they can fly.

Wetlands that support ducks also filter water, prevent floods, and shelter countless species. Unfortunately, wetland drainage, pollution, and invasive plants reduce nesting areas and food availability. Conservation groups restore marshes, plant native vegetation, and build floating nesting platforms. Hunters fund many restoration efforts through license fees and duck stamps, demonstrating how recreation and conservation can work together. Citizen scientists participate in annual duck counts and monitor migration timing to track climate change impacts.

Ducks appear in folklore, art, and city parks where people feed them bread—though wildlife biologists encourage offering grains or simply observing from a distance. Classroom projects that hatch duck eggs or test water quality help students appreciate the link between healthy wetlands and thriving flocks. By protecting marshes, keeping pets leashed around nesting areas, and picking up litter before it reaches ponds, communities ensure that ducks keep quacking across future springs.