Do you suffer from Anasaphilia — an immense love for ducks?
I do too! I love everything about ducks. Whenever I see them, they’re always having fun. Recently, I visited my hometown during Holi and found this cute and mischievous one. I named him Mr. Puck, and here he is:
Someone applied a holi color on him. But, feel free to adore him.
So, my recent incident made me read and write more about my soft feathery friend- ducks.
In this blog, I’ll share some interesting facts about ducks.
Fun Facts About Ducks That Might Not Know:
1. Ducks have incredible diversity:
Ducks belong to a family called Anatidae, which is incredibly diverse. There are over 120 species of ducks in the world, ranging from the well-known mallard to the exotic pink-eared duck. Ducks are diverse in habitats, behaviors, and physical appearances, making them fascinating to bird watchers and nature buffs.
2. You can identify the gender by just listening to their quacks:
A fascinating way to tell males and females apart is by listening to their voices. Generally, male ducks, or drakes, have softer, quieter quacks compared to females. Female ducks are known for their loud, distinctive quacks, high pitch sound which can be heard for miles. It’s especially noticeable in mallard ducks, where the female’s quack is louder and more pronounced, compared to the male’s raspy whisper.
Watch this video and understand it better:
3. Ducks are all rounders:
They are really the all rounder as they can smoothly glide on water as they swim, fly high with amazing speeds for large distances, and waddle with charm on the ground. They are able to do this because of their strong flat feet and waterproof feathers. Yes, you heard it right! This is because their feathers have a wax type of coating which makes it waterproof but also provide them warmth in even chilly waters. This also makes him adaptable to various weather conditions, and increases their chances of survival.
4. Ducks choose their partners to mate on basis of their performance:
Courtship rituals between ducks involve elaborate displays, vocalizations, and behaviors. For example, the male wood duck performs a “bridling” display, arching his neck and raising a crest of feathers to attract females. These mating displays are not just fascinating to observe but also serve as a mechanism for females to choose the healthiest and most genetically fit mates for their kids. Choosing a partner for mating happens only in the wild, and you might not see it on farms. Moreover, the female’s vagina corkscrews in a direction opposite to the male’s penis, causing pain for her, and most male ducks are aggressive towards females, which can cause injury or death.
5. Ducks love to hang out together and protect each other:
Ducks are social animals they love to hang out together and swim together creating paddling. Staying together helps them to keep each other safe from any dangers like predators. If there is any possible harm near them they quickly alert each other.
6. Ducklings chat with siblings even before they hatch:
They start to chit chat even before they are hatched properly. They talk to each other so that they can hatch at the same time. Isn’t this just unbelievable? This teamwork helps keep them safe from animals that might want to eat them. Once they’re out, they stick together and follow their mom around everywhere. They even make one duck stay awake so that their group can relax more when they are looking for food or napping.
7. Ducks have a super vision:
The eyesight of ducks is incredible. They can see things both up close and far away at the same time, very clearly. They can see almost everywhere around them because their eyes are located on the sides of their heads. They can even sleep with one eye open to stay safe from predators.
8. Duck bills are super sensitive which helps them get food:
The bill of a duck is filled with touch sensors, which makes it as sensitive as the fingers of a human. To find food in murky or muddy water, they use their bills. Their bills help them use an amazing food strategy called dabbling, where they feed on the water’s surface or tip forward to graze on underwater plants. Using their eyes and feet, they hunt for food as they’re omnivorous and have a variety of diets like aquatic plants, small fish, insects, and grains. Other birds, like the merganser, dive deep to catch fish with their narrow, serrated bills.
9. Ducks think about things in abstract way:
Don’t you dare to underestimate the ducks! They are pretty smart and emotional as well. Ducklings can identify different objects based on their color and shape. They also care about their family and friends as they show affection to them and protect each other.
End Note:
Taking a look at ducks, it’s clear they’re not just pretty quacks. The adaptability and intelligence of ducks show the complexity and wonder of nature across air, land, and water. The fact that they can navigate vast distances, communicate sophisticatedly, and play a huge role in ecosystems highlights their significance and marvel.
So, the next time you see a duck paddling in a pond or flying overhead, take a moment to appreciate them.
