What do ducks eat in the wild? This is a question that many people have, and it is a valid one.
After all, we see ducks everywhere – at the park, grocery store, and even in our backyards.
But what do these birds eat when they are not around humans?
In this article, we will look at the diet of ducks and waterfowl.
We will also explore some of the things these birds eat in their natural habitats.
What Ducks Eat in the Wild: The Diet Of Ducks Waterfowl
Ducks are waterfowl that can be found on every continent except for Antarctica.
While ducks’ diets can vary depending on the specific species, there are some common elements that all ducks share.
Ducks typically eat aquatic plants, small fish, crustaceans, and insects in the wild.
Some ducks may also eat small mammals or reptiles if they can catch them.
Ducks often upend themselves in the water or forage along the shoreline to get their food.
In captivity, ducks may be fed a diet of pellets or grain.
However, it is important to provide them with access to water to wash their food down.
Ducks are interesting creatures with a complex diet that helps them thrive in various habitats.
Disitribution and Habitat
While ducks are widely distributed, most species inhabit temperate climates and regions in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some species breed in fresh inland waters and occur only incidentally in marine habitats.
Several ventures are far from the equator, particularly during northern winters.
A few ducks opportunistically live as scavengers around anthropogenic habitats such as town ponds, sewage treatment lagoons, or agricultural fields.
These are where they eat domestic scraps and become habituated to humans.
Some species prefer freshwater marshes, while others prefer open water sources such as lakes or rivers.
A few types inhabit brackish marshes and saltpans, but representatives of most species typically avoid coastal habitats except when migrating.
The Diet Of Ducks Waterfowl
Ducks’ diet is highly variable and depends on the geographic region, habitat, season, and available food sources.
In general, however, most wild duck species feed on aquatic plants—such as pondweeds, widgeon grasses, sedges, and wild rice—or terrestrial plants—such as oats, wheat, and green mosquitoes, where available.
Some birds also consume small fish, mollusks, crustaceans (including crabs), annelids (earthworms), insects (including beetles), spiders, etc., especially when these foods are abundant or during the nesting season when protein is needed to fuel egg production or feed nestlings.
Shrimp make up a large part of the diet for seaducks such as eiders and Scoters.
Gulls commonly snatch ducklings from nests or feed on eggs if given the opportunity but rarely kill adult ducks unless sickly or injured birds are targeted.
Predatory fish also pose a threat to swimming birds, but few fish can take fully grown birds due to size limitations.
What Do Ducks Eat in the Wild
Ducks are proficient foragers, and their diet varies depending on the time of year and what is available.
Their eating habits vary depending on the type of habitat in which they live and what kinds of food sources are available to them.
Most wild duck species generally eat aquatic or terrestrial plants – depending on what’s most readily available to them in their particular environment.
Here’s a closer look at some of the more common things that ducks eat:
Aquatic Plants
Many types of aquatic plants are eaten by ducks – including pondweeds, widgeon grasses, sedges, and wild rice.
Aquatic plants give ducks essential nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
These types of plants are typically found growing near bodies of water like lakes and rivers – making them easy for ducks to access when hungry.
While some ducks will eat just the leaves of aquatic plants, others will consume the entire plant – roots and all.
Terrestrial Plants
Some ducks eat terrestrial plants – such as oats, wheat, green grass, millet grass, etc.
These types of plants typically grow on land away from bodies of water – so ducks will often have to travel further distances to find them.
Terrestrial plants are typically only eaten by ducks when other food sources are scarce or during nesting season when protein is needed to fuel egg production or feed nestlings.
Insects
Insects provide ducks with essential nutrients, including protein, fat, and minerals. Ducks eat various insects, including water beetles, flies, dragonflies, moths, and caterpillars.
This type of prey is often found near or on the surface of bodies of water – making it easy for ducks to snatch them up when hungry.
While most ducks will eat insects at any time of year, they are especially important during breeding, when female ducks need extra protein to produce eggs.
Fish and Crustaceans
Some ducks – like the mergansers – primarily eat fish and other aquatic invertebrates.
These birds often have long, thin bills that help them catch and eat fish swimming just below the water’s surface.
Crustaceans like crayfish, shrimp, and crabs are also part of the diet of some ducks.
Grain and seed
In addition to Fish and Crustaceans, ducks also consume a significant amount of seeds and grains.
Wild rice is a particularly important food source for ducks, as it is high in energy and nutrients.
Ducks will also eat other seeds, such as sunflower seeds, millet, and sorghum.
In addition to being a food source, seeds provide ducks with essential fatty acids and vitamins.
Fruit
Some ducks – like the wood duck – also eat fruit.
Fruit is typically only eaten by ducks when other food sources are scarce or during nesting season when female ducks need extra energy to produce eggs.
Mollusks
Mollusks – like clams, snails, and mussels – is another type of food that ducks will eat.
These animals are often found in or near bodies of water – making them easy for ducks to find and consume.
While most ducks will eat mollusks at any time of year, they are especially important during breeding when female ducks need extra protein to produce eggs.
Final Thoughts
Ducks are exciting creatures with complex dietary needs. In the wild, they typically eat a diet of insects, small fish, and aquatic plants – with a healthy dose of grit thrown in to help them digest their food correctly!
While they will also eat bread if offered it by humans, bread is not a natural part of their diet and should only be given to them as an occasional treat.
When feeding pet ducks, always consult your veterinarian for guidance on what type of food is best for them and how much to feed them each day.
As you can see from this overview, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, “What do ducks eat?”
Instead, it depends on factors like the type of habitat they live in and what kinds of food sources are readily available to them in their particular environment.
That being said, most wild duck species eat aquatic or terrestrial plants depending on what’s most easily accessible to them at any given time.
Check out our other animal FAQs here:
- Osprey: The Ultimate Guide to the Mysterious Bird of Prey
- The Fascinating and Rare Cassowary: A Look at This Odd Bird
- Red-tailed Hawk: A Profile of North America’s Premier Raptors
