With the exception of Antarctica, ducks are a varied and intriguing kind of wild bird found on every continent. There are plenty of native species in the United States for birdwatchers to enjoy, and approximately twenty species are found in the United Kingdom.
In addition to being intriguing, knowing what poultry keepers feed their birds and how to support conservationists in safeguarding different species and their habitats are two benefits of understanding their diet.
Several duck species may often be seen coexisting peacefully on the same pond or marsh, eating together. Ever wonder what these elegant birds consume, or how their unique bodies allow them to get food?
Discover everything there is to know about the diet of ducks by following along with us as we read.
Ducks’ Natural Diet
Because they are omnivores by nature, wild ducks eat both plants and animals. Though certain species may graze in fields and even residential areas, they locate most of their food in and near bodies of water.
The diets and foraging strategies of various species vary; they may filter feed, graze outside on dry ground, or hunt microscopic organisms at the bottom of deeper waters. As a result, different duck species may coexist peacefully without posing a threat to one another.
Find out more about the main food sources for wild ducks by reading on.
Both terrestrial and aquatic plants
Ducks depend on aquatic vegetation as their primary food source. Dabbling ducks may be upended to graze on submerged plants or they can feed on algae and floating vegetation. Ducks that dive may also descend to feed on rooted plants that are growing further down the water column.
Not all of the food that wild ducks eat is aquatic. In addition, they will nibble on roots and tubers that are growing close to their wet environment, graze on grass, and eat berries.
Animal-based cuisine
Ducks consume a wide range of invertebrates, sometimes even tiny fish and frogs. They may hunt for tiny animals among the rocks and undergrowth, or they might come upon their prey amid the foliage or drowned prey on the surface.
Items common to duck prey:
Mollusks such as snails
Worms Shrimp and more marine animals
Moths and their Offspring
Tadpoles and little frogs
Occasionally, little fish
Seeds and Grains
Ducks depend heavily on the seeds of wild grasses and plants, especially during the winter months when there are few animal sources of food. Birds that migrate or overwinter often consume the seeds of cultivated plants, such as maize, wheat, and rice.
Diets of Urban Ducks
In parks and ponds in urban and suburban areas, ducks are a frequent sight. Although they may sometimes be totally dependent on human assistance, mallards are especially comfortable in these semi-natural settings. This is especially true during the cold months when they eat only vegetarian food.
In New Zealand, a research comparing urban and wild Mallards revealed that although urban birds on unnatural diets had smaller breast muscles than their wild counterparts, there was no indication of ill health in these birds.
Guide to Duck Feeding
People all across the globe find feeding birds to be a highly enlightening pastime, whether they are doing it in their backyard or a park. There are benefits and drawbacks to feeding wild and feral ducks, therefore it’s usually best to stay away from them.
But if you give the ducks at your neighborhood pond an occasional nutritious treat in moderation, it won’t do any damage.
For some tips on ethically feeding ducks, keep reading.
It is undoubtedly dangerous to give ducks too much of a good thing. It is advisable to provide ducks with small quantities of food at irregular intervals to avoid undesirable outcomes including illness transmission, crowding, and reliance on artificial food sources.
Never throw away a lot of food since it might go bad, grow mildew, and affect the birds’ health. Additionally, feeding them in the water or on a spotless surface is preferable to sprinkling food on the ground where there might be hazardous materials and duck droppings.
Healthy foods for ducks to eat:
Fruits in general (avoid citrus)
green veggies, such as lettuce and cabbage
Peas
Broccoli
Corn
Foods to stay away from:
The following foods should be avoided by ducks since they are poisonous or harmful.
Citrus fruits and bread
Chocolate and candies
Onions
Garlic
The majority of people intuitively link urban ducks with bread, yet our feathery companions don’t benefit from this ubiquitous human diet. Although bread has too many calories and not enough nutrients, it is not hazardous in and of itself.
It is believed that consuming an excessive amount of bread might lead to a dangerous disorder called “Angel Wing,” which can cause paralysis and even death.
Duckling Nutrition
As they grow from hatchlings to juveniles and finally adults, ducks’ diets alter. Ducklings may live on their yolk reserves for the first day after hatching, but thereafter they must feed themselves.
Diet of wild ducklings
For example, during its first month of life, wild Mallard ducklings mostly consume insects and other tiny invertebrates. They forage for food on vegetation, the water’s surface, or by catching flying insects. In their second month, their diet starts to include an increasing amount of plant material and seeds; by the time they are six weeks old, they mostly eat vegetarianism.
It is best not to feed wild ducklings since they would be better off chasing insects or other natural food. For young birds, bread and other human foods may be very dangerous.
Diet of domestic ducklings
It is not advisable to feed domestic ducklings the same food as adults. For the first three weeks of their lives, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine suggests a duck starter crumble, and after that, until they are five months old, a grower meal with a protein concentration of around 15%. Following that, they may be given mixed grain and a high-quality adult pellet.
Seasonal Differences in Nutrition
While we may buy almost whatever we want at the grocery store, ducks have to adjust their diet to suit the availability of new food sources. To find out more about the duck’s evolving diet, keep reading.
Summer and spring
For ducks, spring and summer are prosperous seasons. Rapid plant growth occurs both in and out of the water when temperatures rise and the sun shines brightly. Fish and frogs deposit their eggs, and insects and other invertebrates thrive.
Because there are so many animals around, there is plenty of high-protein food available for both the mother duck and her ducklings, making this the perfect time for ducks to have their own young.
Autumn and Winter
Many duck species go south as the days become shorter and colder in order to avoid the impending ice and snow. Insect life and green plant growth become sparse even at lower latitudes, forcing ducks to adapt their diet in order to live. During the autumn and winter, omnivorous ducks typically switch to vegetarianism, consuming only plant items such as grains, seeds, acorns, and tubers.
Nutrition and Well-Being
For ducks to be healthy, reproduce well, and reach their maximum lifetime, they need a balanced diet. While domestic birds without access to high-quality commercial meals are likely to suffer in terms of size and egg production, wild birds are able to get all the necessary resources by foraging for their naturally balanced diet.
Ducks need lipids, proteins, vital amino acids, and a variety of vitamins and minerals in addition to calories. For laying chickens to lay healthy eggs, their diet must also include enough calcium.
Participation in the Community and Education
Preserving their natural habitat and food sources is the greatest way to guarantee that the ducks who live in your neighborhood have a balanced diet. Participate in neighborhood clean-ups and volunteer conservation projects to maintain the cleanliness and absence of debris in nearby waterways.
Never forget that a vibrant pond with an abundance of natural flora is always preferable to a lifeless water feature.
It’s also a fantastic idea to have a conversation about proper duck-feeding methods with well-meaning community members. If you are going to feed the ducks, you could even bring along a little extra food that you could give to those who are about to throw in some bread. Social media and signage are two more effective methods to spread your message.
Final Thoughts
Ducks are adapted to consume a wide range of foods, both in their native environments and in the transformed urban environment. Each species has succeeded in carving out a place for itself without displacing the other waterfowl that share its surroundings, whether they are deep divers or shallow dabbling ducks.
It’s amazing to watch wild ducks dine, particularly when you see them side by side foraging—dabbling, diving, and straining. Tame duck feeding may also be an amazing experience, but please feed our feathery companions just a balanced, healthful diet!
FAQs
Are ducks safe to eat bread?
In particular, bread is not a natural, healthful food option for young ducks that are still growing and maturing. If you are feeding ducks at your neighborhood pond, leafy greens are a much better alternative.
How may we aid ducks throughout the winter?
While it may be hard for humans to survive outside during the winter, wild ducks have great adaptations for existence all year round. Your local ducks generally don’t require any assistance at all if they have access to wholesome natural food sources.
Give moderate amounts of nutritious grains and seeds, such as maize, rice, and sunflower seeds, to friendly ducks in your neighborhood park.
How should one respond to a starving duck?
It is usually upsetting to come across a sick or wounded animal, therefore it seems sense that you would want to assist. Nonetheless, tending to injured animals is challenging and needs specialized expertise as well as often legal authorization. It’s better to get guidance from a nearby animal rehabilitator before making any attempts to intervene. Try to remain close by so you can tell approved rehabilitators where to look for and help the duck.
Can ducks consume cat or dog food?
Even though it is not a natural or healthy diet for these omnivorous birds, tamed ducks will consume dry cat and dog food. It’s recommended to stick to natural diets like seeds and vegetables for wild ducks and prepared commercial feeds for domestic ducks, albeit a very tiny quantity in moderation may not hurt them.
