10 Amazing Bird Facts (Duck)

All types of ducks are part of the bird family Anatidae, and there are species of ducks found worldwide on every continent except Antarctica.

Fast Facts about Ducks

1. Ducks feet has no nerves or blood vessels, meaning that their feet do not feel the cold! This enables ducks to swim in icy water, and walk in ice and snow.

2. There are around 40 breeds of domestic ducks, with the most popular being the White Pekin.

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3. A male duck is called a drake, a female duck a hen, and a baby duck a duckling.

4. Ducks are omnivores. They feed on aquatic plants, small fish, insects, worms, grubs and more. People often feed domesticated ducks bread.

5. When the ducks fly, they usually do so in a ‘V-shaped’ or a long line. This shape makes flying easier.

6. Ducks are social. They live in groups called rafts or teams. Most male ducks are silent and very few ducks actually “quack.” Instead, their calls may include squeaks, grunts, groans, chirps, whistles, brays and growls.

7. All ducks have highly waterproof feathers as a result of an intricate feather structure and a waxy coating that is 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 will stay completely dry.

Also Read:10 Amazing Bird Facts (Penguin)

8. Ducks have many economic uses. Their feathers, particularly their underlying ‘down’ feathers, are used in many products, while the white Pekin duck is the most common variety raised for eggs and meat.

9. A hen will lead her ducklings up to a half mile or more over land after hatching in order to find a suitable water source for swimming and feeding.

10. Depending on the species, a duck can live between 2 and 12 years.