Some fascinating duck facts

• Enjoyyourlife
• Thứ Năm, 18 tháng 8, 2016
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• The duck is a number of species in the Anatidae family of birds. They are related to swans and geese.
• Ducks are mostly aquatic birds living in both fresh water and sea water and found on every continent except for Antarctica.
• A male duck is called a drake, a female duck a hen, and a baby duck a duckling.
• Ducks are omnivores. They feed on aquatic plants, small fish, insects, worms, grubs and more. People often feed domesticated ducks bread
• Diving ducks and sea ducks search for food fairly deep underwater. To be able to stay underwater more easily, diving ducks are quite heavy.
• Dabbling ducks feed on the surface of water, on land, or by ducking their head underwater. Along the edge of their beak is a comb-like structure called a pecten, that enables them to hold slippery food and filter nutrients out of the water.
• A common urban legend is that a ducks quack does not echo. This has however, been proven to be false.
• Ducks are curious and friendly creatures they have been domesticated as pets and farm animals for more than 500 years. All domestic ducks are descended from either the Mallard or the Muscovy duck.
• Ducks are precocial, which means that ducklings are covered with down and able to walk and leave the nest just a few hours after hatching. This helps protect the young chicks from predators, since they do not need to stay in the vulnerable nest area for long.
• A hen will lead her ducklings up to a half mile or more over land after hatching in order to find a suitable water source for swimming and feeding. As soon as a baby duck's down is dry after hatching, they will be able to swim.
• Male ducks have an eclipse plumage similar to females that they wear after the breeding season for about a month as their new feathers grow. During that month, they are completely flightless and more vulnerable to predators. At this time, many male ducks stay in isolated, remote areas or flock together for protection in numbers.
• Most duck species are monogamous for a breeding season but they do not mate for life. Instead, they will seek out new mates each year, seeking the healthiest, best mate who can help them pass on their genes to a new duckling generation.
• When constructing her nest, a hen will line it with soft down feathers she plucks from her own breast. This gives the eggs the best possible cushioning and insulation. Other duck nesting material includes grasses, mud, twigs, leaves and other plant material.