Connecticut Nature

DUCKS
by Nicole Neigel, Environmental Educator

Ducks are a type of waterfowl and are related to geese and swans. There are many different types of ducks, including dabbling, diving, perching, and sea ducks.
Dabbling ducks feed on the surface of the water or by “dabbling”- submerging their heads and sticking their lower halves in the air while they stretch their necks
underwater to forage through aquatic plants. As their name suggests, diving ducks dive beneath the water completely to search for food. Sea ducks live in marine
and coastal ecosystems. Perching ducks possess special claws on their feet that allow them to inhabit woodlands and nest in trees. Like most waterfowl, many ducks
are vital to the wetland ecosystem as they disperse the seeds that they consume from aquatic plants. This helps maintain and establish habitat for other organisms.

Ducks have many special adaptations that make them fascinating creatures. All ducks have webbed feet, a common adaptation for many aquatic animals, but a duck’s
foot contains a unique blood vessel system to help keep them warm. Birds feet are not covered in feathers like the rest of their body, so they rely on a process called
“counter-current heat exchange system”. This allows ducks to remain in the frigid water during colder months.

They are also able to waterproof their outer, or contour feathers to keep warm and dry. The contour feathers of waterfowl are interlocking which
form an outer barrier on their body. They also possess a “preen gland” at the base of their tail which produces an oily substance. When ducks
preen their feathers, they spread this oil on their contour feathers which makes them water-repellent. Most birds molt their feathers in what is
called a “sequential molt”, meaning they lose their flight feathers one at a time. However, ducks undergo a “simultaneous molt” where they molt
a lot of feathers at once. This renders them incapable of flight during the weeks that they molt.

Ducks also have spectacular vision. All birds have an enhanced sense of sight, but ducks have taken it another step further. Their eyes are
located on the side of their heads, giving them 340 degree vision and enabling them to see almost all of their surroundings. This is a common adaptation for many
prey animals as it allows them to spot predators easily. They also have an extra eyelid that is translucent and acts like goggles to protect their eyes underwater. Even
more fascinating, ducks will often sleep with one eye open to spot predators during their vulnerable resting state.

Ducks are unable to chew their food so they have an interesting strategy to aid their digestion process. They will swallow small rocks to help break down the food in
their gizzard- an organ in the digestive tract that grinds up food. Once swallowed, the rocks are called “gastroliths”. This behavior is shared by other birds as well as
some reptiles and marine mammals.

Feeding bread to ducks at the park might seem fun, but it is actually harmful to the birds. Bread offers no nutrition to the ducks and can lead to
disease. It also causes overcrowding and water pollution. Ducks are very capable of finding their own food in the wild. Instead of feeding them,
spend time observing ducks at the shore or by a pond.

TRY IT! Take two craft feathers, paint one with vegetable oil and leave the other plain.
See what happens when you drip water on both of them.

109 Pequotsepos Rd, Mystic, CT 06355

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Informational Text: 3-5.2, 3-5.3, 3-5.8