Everyone sees ducks at the local park. However, these waterfowl are highly adapted survivalists rather than simple birds. For instance, they possess a superpower that allows them to sleep with half their brain awake. Furthermore, their feathers remain completely dry even while they dive underwater. Consequently, their biology allows them to thrive in environments where other animals freeze. Therefore, paddle into the secret life of ducks. You will never look at a mallard the same way again.
Ducks
Ducks possess completely waterproof feathers. Specifically, they collect oil from a gland near their tail and spread it over their plumage to stay dry.
They sleep with one eye open. When they sleep in groups, the ducks on the outside keep one eye open to watch for predators. Thus, half their brain stays awake.
The myth that a duck’s quack does not echo is false. actually, acoustic experts proved that quacks echo just like any other sound. The echo is just hard to hear.
Bread is actually terrible for their health. Unfortunately, feeding them white bread causes a condition called “angel wing,” which prevents them from flying.
Their feet never feel the cold. Because their blood vessels run close together, their warm blood heats the cold blood returning from their feet. This heat exchange saves energy.
They have three eyelids. Uniquely, they possess a transparent third eyelid called a nictitating membrane that acts like underwater goggles.
Male ducks are called drakes. Conversely, people call a female a hen, and a baby is famously known as a duckling.
Ducks eat small stones and gravel. Since they have no teeth, they swallow grit to help their gizzard grind up food for digestion.
They have a comb-like structure in their beaks. Biologists call this the pecten, and it allows them to filter food from the water efficiently.
Mallard ducks can fly incredibly high. Surprisingly, pilots have spotted them flying at altitudes of over 20,000 feet in the sky.
Ducklings experience imprinting instantly. Consequently, they will follow the first large moving object they see after hatching, which is usually their mother.
They can fly at serious speeds. In fact, a red-breasted merganser can reach a top speed of 100 miles per hour if the wind helps.
You can find them on every continent except one. Specifically, ducks live everywhere on Earth except for Antarctica.
Their reproductive biology is bizarre. Notably, male ducks have corkscrew-shaped anatomy, while females have corkscrew-shaped tracts in the opposite direction.
Finally, not all ducks “quack.” Actually, many species make whistling, cooing, or yodeling sounds instead of the classic noise.
