10 Fascinating Facts About Ducks That Will Surprise You

I bet most people don't give ducks a lot of thought. The waterfowl is adorable, but it is a fairly common occurrence. People often don't take much interest in them, or at least not as much as in an exotic animal like a tiger or elephant. However, ducks are pretty fascinating. Here are 10 facts about ducks that make these waterfowl all the more interesting.

1. Ducks Have Waterproof Feathers

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This comes in handy, seeing as ducks spend a majority of their time in or near the water. Their feathers are so highly waterproof that the duck will stay completely dry even after being fully submerged in water. That waxy coating helps to protect their additional downy underlayer, which keeps the ducks toasty warm, a special treat for those cooler days.

2. Even Their Feet Are Equipped For The Water

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Besides helping them be fantastic swimmers, the duck's feet have another incredible adaptation. PETA shares that "they can swim in cold water without catching a chill because their feet have blood vessels that are close together, so they don't lose heat." This is yet another way that this waterfowl is perfectly equipped for life in the water.

3. They Are Monogamous...Sort Of

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Ducks are typically monogamous; however, this only lasts for a breeding season. Once the new season arises, ducks will often look for a different mate. They do this in an attempt to select the strongest and healthiest of their options, hoping to pass down the best genes to their ducklings.

4. Ducklings Communicate From Inside Their Eggs

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Next on our list of facts about ducks, we have this fascinating piece of information. Did you know that ducklings coordinate their own hatching? That's correct, they are able to communicate with one another while they are still inside their eggs. From within those eggs, the ducklings all coordinate so that they hatch at the same time as one another. This allows them to stick together as a group, from hatching through adolescence. Sticking together helps protect them from predators. After hatching, the ducklings will stick together when swimming or walking. Even as adults, ducks tend to prefer being in a group.

5. Duck Eggs Are Affected By The Sun

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Now here is a duck fact that I didn't know. Four Paws shares that "the production of eggs is affected by daylight." If there is more daylight, the duck will lay more eggs. How intriguing is that? While we cannot control the egg-laying capacity of wild ducks, farmers do manage it with domesticated ducks. They do this by using artificial lighting, ensuring that the ducks have about 17 hours of light a day.

6. They Have Regional Accents

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Turns out that ducks are just like people, at least in this sense. In the same way that a person may have a different accent depending on where they come from, ducks do too. Ducks will change their accent based on their environment. For example, a study showed that ducks living in London had a "louder, rougher quack" than those living in the countryside. Experts believe that is because "they had to shout above the noise of city life."

7. Duck Mating Is All About The Dance Moves

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When it comes to picking a mate, female ducks have a long list of things they are searching for. However, nothing is as important as the dance moves. When mating season comes around, male ducks will perform complicated displays, or dances, to win over a female. Females will watch the display and select the duck they think did the best and has the most attractive feathers.

8. They Have Better Vision Than Humans

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Next on our list of facts about ducks, we have this humbling gem. Many people don't associate ducks with fantastic vision, yet their eyes are far superior to ours. That is because the shape of their eyes allows them to see things near and far simultaneously. Additionally, because their eyes are located on either side of their head, they can see almost 340 degrees around. Not to mention, they can also move each eye independently, which is both amazing and creepy.

9. A Duck's Bill Is Sensitive Like A Human's Fingertip

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While duck bills may feel hard, they are as sensitive as the tip of your finger. That is because their bills have receptors all over them, similar to how we have them in our fingertips and palms. Those receptors help the duck to locate food, even in murky waters. Additionally, suffering a broken bill can be excruciating for a duck.

10. Ducks Are Very Clean Creatures

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Last on our list of facts about ducks, we draw attention to the cleaning habits of these waterfowl. While most people do not assume birds are the cleanest animals, ducks prove them wrong. If you have ever watched a duck for an extended period, I am sure you have seen it preening its feathers. They do this constantly to keep clean. Also, they keep their nests tidy by keeping them free of waste and debris.

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