Duck facts

Here are some amazing news and facts about ducks:

1. A baby duck is called a duckling, and an adult male is a drake. An adult female duck is called a hen or a duck, and a group of ducks can be called a raft, team or paddling. Generic terms like bird, chick and flock also apply to ducks.
2. All ducks have highly waterproof feathers as a result of an intricate feather structure and a waxy coating that is spread on each feather while preening. A duck's feathers are so waterproof that even when the duck dives underwater, its downy underlayer of feathers will stay completely dry. The uropygial gland produces that waxy oil that coats feathers so well, and many other birds also have the same gland.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. A common urban legend is that a ducks quack does not echo. This has however, been proven to be false.
7. 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.
8. The most common and recognised species of duck is the Mallard or Wild duck. It is a dabbling duck that lives in the Americas, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia.
9. The male Mallard has a glossy green head, grey wings and belly, while the female has a brown-speckled plumage. Mallard ducks have a moulting season, they are vulnerable during this time as the moulting stops them flying.
10. Mallard ducks live 5 to 10 years in the wild and 8+ years in captivity.
11. Paradise Shelducks of New Zealand often have one mating partner for life.
12. All ducks have highly waterproof feathers due to the feathers interlocking nature and waxy coating.
13. Ducks have many economic uses. Their feathers, particularly their underlying 'down' feathers, are used in many products, while the white Pekin duck is the most common variety raised for eggs and meat.
14. Ducks have featured as popular cartoon characters over the years, such as Walt Disney's Donald Duck and Warner Brothers, Daffy Duck.