- A duck is a wild or domesticated waterfowl, or a bird that swims.
- It belongs to the family Anatidae.
- It is related to the goose and swan but is smaller.
- Ducks have thick feathers with an undercoat of down to protect their
bodies from becoming wet or losing heat.
- Ducks eat water plants, insects, crustaceans, shellfish, frogs, and
fish, depending upon the species.
- When feeding in the water, a sifting device in the bill separates
food from water and mud.
- They can live from 2-20 years, depending on species.
- The males use their colorful plumage to attract females.
- However, they will lose or molt their colourful feathers when the
females are busy hatching the eggs. The males will now look like the
female in colour and will be unable to fly temporarily.
- They will molt again in early Autumn and get back their colourful
feathers and be able to fly again.
- The females also molt. They replace all their feathers, get new ones
after their babies or ducklings are hatched.
- The eggs normally hatch within 28 days. Ducklings are able to fly
within 5-8 weeks.
- Ducks have very good vision, and they see in colour.
- Ducks sleep with half their brains awake.
- Ducks are more likely to sleep with one eye open when they are located
on the edge of sleeping groups.
- They can detect predators in less than a second.
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