This means they can easily tolerate colder water. Additionally, ducks have webbed feet which help them to paddle through the water easily. But just how fast can a duck swim? This is because ducks have special pores in their nostrils that close when they go under water. A typical dive can take anywhere from 10 30 seconds, but Divers are capable of holding their breath for up to a minute. Im John Lopez, and Im one of the main authors of duckadvice.com. But when they do decide to submerge, all those abilities shift to adapt to underwater conditions. Wood ducks are known for their swimming abilities and have been recorded swimming at speeds of up to 8 miles per hour (12.87 km/h). Their preferred breeding habitat is usually shallow fresh, brackish or alkaline waters with densely vegetated shores. The number of eggs that a female lays is directly related to the amount of available daylightthe more daylight she has been exposed to, the more eggs she will lay. So next time you see a duck swimming around in a pond, just remember that it has the ability to stay submerged much longer than you ever could! Discover how Ducks Unlimited's partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife upgraded the water-delivery system in the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area. Ducks also have webbed feet which help them to paddle through the water with ease. These adaptations help propel the birds while they are underwater. They also hunt for food and small animals while they are in the water, but do you know that there are ducks that swim underwater. Other birds like flamingos, herons, storks, kingfishers, rails, ibises, and so on. +Swan Migration. Their webbed feet provide a propulsive force that moves them forward. Yes, ducks can breathe underwater. Ducks also have excellent underwater vision, with eyes that are adapted to seeing in low-light conditions, which helps them locate their prey even in murky waters. They use their speed to escape predators and forage for food. In the water, pintail ducks can swim up to 4 miles per hour. They are found mostly in swamps and freshwater marches and benefit from open water that can provide areas of thick vegetative cover to hide and forage in. They do this by exhaling before they dive and holding their breath while they are under the water. It often feeds alongside flocks of wild geese and swans on damp grassland. They usually build nests by the lakeside among vegetation and can lay up to 8 12 eggs at a time. So next time you see a duck swimming around, remember that it has superpowers it can see things that we humans cant! Ducks feathers are covered in an oily substance that makes them waterproof [2]. This also depends on whether they belong to the Dabbler or Diver category. Read press releases, articles, & more on DU's conservation efforts. Their diets consist of whatever they can find, including small fish, clams, roots, and other vegetation. This is a species of diving ducks that are usually found in North America. So, next time you see a duck swimming under water, take a moment to appreciate how amazing these creatures are! Ducks are interesting creatures because they are able to spend time both on land and in water. And now you know just how long they can stay down there! Waterfowls like ducks, swans, screamers, and geese. Ducks are interesting creatures because they can hold their breath for a long time. Ducks are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals. They are lighter than water, so even when they tip over, their feet and tails remain in the air, holding them above the surface. Dabbling ducks rarely dive underwater, but diving ducks are capable of some impressive dives, holding their breath for around 10 to 30 seconds. Ducks can be split into two groups: divers and dabblers. They are also some of the fastest swimmers, clocking in around 4-6 mph. Ducks are excellent swimmers. This is an impressive feat, considering that most birds are not able to hold their breath for more than a few seconds. Finally, going underwater helps ducks keep their feathers clean and free from dirt and debris. Divers' wings are also more compact, which allows them to be compressed tightly against the body for greater diving efficiency. [4]. Duck diving is a great way to get underwater quickly and efficiently, but its not the only way to get submerged. Lake Crescent Washington, USA. Diver ducks are specifically given additional traits and functions to help them survive underwater for longer than their Dabbler kin. Instead, give them the types of treats they would naturally eat, such as grapes, birdseed, oats, and cracked corn. DU TV airs July through December on the Sportsman Channel. And if you ever get the chance to race one, be sure to give them a good run for their money! Ducks are most often associated with water. How long can a duck stay underwater? Through evolution, ducks have evolved a number of advantageous characteristics that help them move better through the water. How fast can a duck swim? These adaptations enable ducks to move swiftly underwater and on the water. If a duck is being chased by a predator, it can quickly dive underwater and hide among the plants until the danger has passed. Ducks are very comfortable in the water, and they love to swim around in it. On land, ducks also have an easy time breathing thanks to their anatomy. A male duck is called a drake. When ducks swim, they use their interlocking feathers to create a smooth surface on the water. It's a lot of work for a mother duck to keep so many ducklings safe from predators. No species of ducks have been recorded breathing underwater for much longer than 1 minute. But diving ducks typically have higher body densities than other waterfowl. They are able to hold their breath for a short period of time and use their webbed feet to propel themselves through the water. These numbers vary on where the breed resides, and how deep the water of their surroundings usually is. Mother ducks have to work hard to keep their brood safe and together while her ducklings are growing. Raccoons have also been found to enter swimming pools of private buildings, and can remain in the pool without anyone noticing. All of these adaptations come in handy for ducks, as they often need to dive underwater in order to find food or escape predators. The females are usually smaller than the male but otherwise they both look alike with very small differences. This helps it move more quickly through the water. Male ducks generally stay with the other males, but they guard the territory by chasing away predators whenever possible. These bristles aren't teeth, but they sure do look like them. It is believed that they can travel up to 60 feet (18 m) before needing to surface for air. Their unique features and bodily functions set them apart from other waterfowl and allow them to dive and feed far beneath the waters surface. The also forage on land as much as they do in shallow water. Their bodies are wider in the middle and their wings are more compact, which means they can be compressed tighter against their bodies, allowing for greater diving efficiency. On average they dive for roughly 12 seconds, but they are capable of staying underwater for about 25 seconds. Mallard ducks are one of the most common types of ducks in North America. Since diving ducks have to collect food underwater, theyve evolved a much greater capacity to dive than other ducks. Dabblers rarely dive, and feed by simply dipping their heads underwater and use their bills to kick up dirt and aquatic vegetation, and rarely full on deep sea dive to forage way below the waters surface. However, ducks can swim at speeds of around 6 mph, which is probably at least as fast as they can move underwater. Why & How far? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once theyre in the water, swimming is instinctive, but it still takes another four weeks for ducklings to swim confidently and become independent from their mothers. Read all my blogs and reviews about plants. Underwater swimming speeds can far exceed normal swimming speeds. Ducks do not breathe underwater, they simply are capable of holding large amounts of air within them, and then distributing that oxygen efficiently and slowly, allowing them to be under the water for as long as 1 minute. Mallards use their speed to escape predators and to get food. Why Can Ducks Stay Underwater For So Long? One species of duck, the Merganser, mainly eats fish. Just before they dive, the birds compress their feathers against their body, squeezing out air, which further reduces buoyancy. It can be done with fins or without fins ! Their whole body essentially shifts to efficiency mode, the same way you might switch your laptop or phone to power saver mode. Ducks swim by using their feet as paddles. In contrast, redheads and ring-necked ducks often feed like dabblers, either by tipping up or by immersing their heads to probe the bottom substrate or grab food just below the water's surface. In almost all cases, male ducks have more colorful plumage, while the female's feathers tend to be drab and plain. This prevents water from entering their bodies and keeps them from drowning. During a dive, available oxygen is rationed sparingly to sensitive tissues in the central nervous system and sensory organs. Their webbed feet and streamlined bodies make them excellent swimmers and they are often seen swimming in ponds and lakes. Ducks also have a special way of holding their breath when they dive. Using their bills, ducks can distribute this oil while preening to coat their feathers and provide a layer of waterproofing that keeps them slick in the water. The depths at which diving ducks forage vary significantly. Contrastingly, dabbling ducks feed at the surface of the water or on dry land. Like other species of birds, ducks do not have any actual teeth, but many species do have rows of thin bristles in their mouths that help them scoop and filter nutrient particles out of the water. They use their webbed feet to paddle and their wings to propel themselves through the water. Their eyes are specially adapted to allow them to see clearly even when submerged. This helps them to conserve oxygen and stay submerged for longer periods of time. When ducks swim, they use their webbed feet to propel them through the water. So, how do ducks survive? They can be easily distinguished from other birds by the unique copper colored head and bright blue bill during breeding season. This "diving reflex" is triggered when water touches special receptors in the birds' nares (nostrils). Females will usually only take to land to breed and take care of their little ones until they are ready to brave the big and watery world. Required fields are marked *. The nest is usually built among grass and the eggs, six or seven in a clutch, are very spherical or creamy white. Ducks are able to use their wings and feet to steer themselves and stay on course. First, the body of a diving duck is much more compact and fusiform (wider in the middle and tapering toward the end) than that of a dabbler. Once near the bottom, diving ducks use their feet to maintain a hovering position while the birds forage for aquatic insects, small mollusks, seeds, vegetation, roots, tubers, and other food. During this time, ducklings are often observed dunking themselves underwater and diving short distances to catch small insects. Many people believe that ducks can breathe underwater, but this is not the case. They also have similar broad, flattened bills and waterproof plumage. Many duck species are as at home on the water as they are on land and in the air. In addition, divers' legs are set much farther back on their body, and their feet are much larger and have a lobed hind toe. The longer you can hold your breath, the deeper you can go. The long-tailed duck also dives deep underwater in search of food. Next, with a single thrust of their powerful legs and feet, diving ducks arch their bodies upward and dive headlong, quickly disappearing beneath the water's surface. When swimming underwater, ducks use their webbed feet to paddle and propel themselves forward. When you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission but no extra cost to you. Most pochards and ruddy ducks feed in two to 10 feet of water on average, but lesser scaup wintering in coastal areas have been observed feeding in up to 40 feet of water. In fact, they can reach speeds of up to 10 mph (16 km/h). By submerging its head, a duck can hide from predators that may be lurking above the surface of the water. It has strong legs and webbed feet that allow it to swim quickly and easily through the water. At Total Tails we love to share Useful Guides & Tips to help you take care of your Furry Friends. Studies have shown that ducks can hold their breath for up to four minutes at a time. Sea ducks are the most accomplished divers among waterfowl and typically feed in water 10-65 feet deep, although long-tailed ducks are capable of diving much deeper (see sidebar). Diver ducks can spend up to a minute underwater and are used to deep and open water. Ducklings typically swim about 0.6 mph. Give back and leave a lasting legacy by volunteering with DU. If a duck is submerged for too long, it will eventually drown. This means when they do pop underwater for a little look, it is only for a few seconds at a time. With plenty of free time spent bird watching, shes a true expert on these intriguing animals. A Mallard duck can hold its breath for up to two minutes, which is pretty impressive considering the average human can only last for about 30 seconds without oxygen. The name hardhead has nothing to do with the density of the birds skull but is as a result of the difficulty encountered by early taxidermists in processing the head. When ducklings are about one to two weeks old, they start learning how to swim. These clever birds will amaze you with their skills every time. Ducks are able to swim very fast underwater. The adult males are usually bigger than the females with two white rings surrounding its gray bill, a shiny black angular head, black back, white line on the wings, a white breast and yellow eyes. But How Long can Ducks stay Underwater to hunt for food? Divers are heavier, their bodies more compact, and are capable of feeding as deep as 65 feet. Experience wildlife in action through DU's photo gallery. This gland produces oil, which they then distribute over their feathers with their bills, creating a slick and waterproof coating. The breeding habitats of ring necked ducks are wooded lakes or ponds and boreal forest territories. Ducks have special adaptations that allow them to be excellent swimmers and divers. When flying, the average pintail duck flies at about 48 miles per hour [1]. They cant waterproof themselves. The first reason is to see better underwater. Some ducks can run up to 8 mph. Features for avid sportsmen and women, equipment profiles, buyer's guides, natural history stories, photographic essays, and more. The secret to the ducks swimming ability lies in its anatomy. Cormorants. If youre ever curious about how deep a particular duck can dive, simply watch and see! Yes, ducks are excellent swimmers! They use their bills to dig around the dirt, kicking up seeds, insects, crustaceans, roots and other foods. Lucky, this is rare, but it sometimes occurs when multiple mallards gang up on a young female. So, if you see a duck swimming around under the water, dont worry theyre just taking a little breather! Foods Safe To Feed Ducks - What To Feed Wild & House Ducks, How Long Can Penguins Hold Their Breath & Stay Underwater. A duck can float because of its feathers. They are solitary nesters and can build nests out of leaves and stems on the banks of a river surrounded by vegetation. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. They use their webbed feet to propel them through the water. To locate food, they normally dive to deeper parts of roughly 20 meters and have been reported to swim as far as Sixty meters. Why can ducks stay underwater for so long? Diving ducks live primarily on the sea and find most of their food underwater rather than on or around the water. So, next time you see a duck swimming in a pond or lake, take a moment to appreciate just how incredible these animals are. Their three front-facing toes are connected with a webbing, which allows ducks to move more water with their feet, resulting in faster swim speeds. Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. This is a species of the duck family that can be found from Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. So, not all ducks dive underwater, but many do it for different reasons. Thankfully, Katilin Mullins has taken charge of these. For example, scoters have been recorded diving for five to six sessions, each session lasts around 1-minute, and they only take a 10 to 12-second break in between. Mallard ducks are known for their diving abilities and are often seen swimming underwater in search of food. If you have ever seen a duck swimming on the surface of a pond or lake, you may have noticed that they tend to come up for air quite frequently. These swimming birds can stay submerged for up to 30 to 70 seconds and have been seen to swim as far as 45 meters. Let me know if you need anything else. Olympic National Park I was exploring the lake and these ducks stopped in to visitIs this water amazing or what? If youre wondering what kind of duck dives underwater, the answer is any type! After all, ducks are still birds and cant breathe underwater. Read all my blogs and reviews about plants. The speeds of 3 ducklings ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 feet per second with an average of 0.9 foot per second or 0.6 of a mile per hour. HayFarmGuyis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Ducks have special valves in their nostrils that close when they go underwater, allowing them to hold their breath without losing any air. Ducks are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for a long time underwater. In fact, the scaupa variety of diving duckgets its name from the noise it makes which sounds likeyou guessed it"scaup.". They have special glands that allow them to excrete the salt from their bodies, which helps them to stay hydrated. This is a medium sized diving duck that is commonly found in Euro siberia and the surrounding areas. Get the latest news and updates from DU delivered straight to you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); MyBirdGarden is reader-supported. Ducks also have special feathers that help repel water and keep them dry while they swim. It is known to breed and feed in lowland marshes and pools in tall grass jungles. In fact, diving ducks reduce their oxygen consumption while they are underwater. So, what makes a duck decide to dive? Theyve evolved throughout time to develop advantageous characteristics that help them swim. Diving ducks that feed on submersed aquatic vegetation or sedentary invertebrates like clams return to the surface in almost the same place. Next time you see a duck, take a moment to appreciate its unique abilities! Its true! This is especially true if the duck is trying to swim against the current or if it gets caught in something like a storm drain. (Webbed feet), 9 Common Texas Insects That You Should Know About, 7 Blood-Sucking Bugs That Might Live In Your House, Types of Flying Insects & Bugs (Identification), 7 Most Poisonous or Venomous Bugs in the World. This adaptation allows them to dive deeper in search of food or escape predators. Birds are plenty, and they can be hard to keep track of. While some ducks do dive, others simply wade in the water or float on the surface. [4]. Did you know that some ducks are specifically designed to be master underwater divers? Ducks have webbed feet that help them paddle through the water, and their feathers are waterproof, which keeps them warm and dry. But ducks don't just spend time on the surface. However, dabbling ducks have less need to dive great distances compared to diving ducks and seaducks. It can stay submerged for up to two minutes at a time! Mallard ducks dive underwater to catch fish. It seems the world of ducks is a lot more complicated than it seems. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 115 Stone Mountain St, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaPhone: (770) 619-6300Email: info@duckadvice.com. This is a question that many people ask, as they are curious about the swimming abilities of ducks. Their webbed feet act as paddles, propelling them through the water. Each type of duck has a different way of swimming underwater. Think of their feet as paddleboards. A typical dive takes 10-30 seconds, but diving ducks may remain underwater for a minute or more. Ducks Unlimited and ODFW have wrapped up wetland restoration and enhancement projects on 5 state-wildlife areas in Oregon - Fern Ridge, Irrigon, Klamath, Sauvie Island and Summer Lake. The fastest recorded speed of a pintail duck flying is about 67 miles per hour. They are known to stay in small wetlands where the water is deep enough to provide dense vegetation and there are many small aquatic animals. According to some estimates, ducks can swim up to five miles per hour. This allows them to stay underwater for up to two minutes! Ducks can stay underwater between 10 to 60 seconds, depending on their type. Ducks are able to move through the water due to their webbed feet. That's because any longer than that and you start running into some . Mallards can also fly very well, up to 55mph. He also loves to play tennis and read books. These ducks can swim underwater and eat a wider variety of food than dabbling ducks including vegetation, invertebrates and fish. The females are usually pale brown, with a darker back and crown and a whitish face. Another reason is to find food. While most people think of ducks as birds that swim on the surface of ponds, lakes, and rivers, they actually spend a good amount of time foraging underwater. This depends on their habitat as ducks are omnivores. It all has to do with their anatomy. Dabbling ducks rarely dive underwater, but diving ducks are capable of some impressive dives, holding their breath for around 10 to 30 seconds. While they are not as graceful or fast as some other animals that live in the water, they are still able to get around quite well. When a duck submerges its head, it is able to see and hunt for food more easily. This adaptation allows ducks to forage for food underwater without having to come up for air too often. Ducks can swim up to depths of 30 feet (9 meters) and stay submerged for up to a minute. By diving down into the water, they can access these food sources that would otherwise be out of reach. Generally they are called diving ducks and they are a category of ducks that usually dive beneath the surface of the water to feed and hunt for food. In the right conditions, a wild duck can live as long as 20 years. One. This reflex happens the moment water touches special receptors that reside in their nostrils. Baby ducks are frequently preyed upon byhawks, snakes, raccoons, turtles,and large fish. Additionally, ducks have large lungs that are efficient at extracting oxygen from the air. Instead, they make the most out of their final breath before they go underwater. One reason is to escape predators. A pintail duck is a large perching duck with a long tail. Thank you for being committed to changing the world - one acre at a time. As the temperature drops, less blood will flow to a duck's extremities. (Webbed feet). While we dont know exactly how long a duck can hold its breath, it is thought that they could stay underwater for several minutes if necessary. Many amphibians can swim under water and walk on land. Remove the bird droppings using a net or bucket. All ducks are able to dive under the water in order to find food or escape predators. And while they are more than equipped to hold their breath underwater, but some males take turns mounting females continuously. Ducks are interesting creatures because they have the ability to fly and swim. Clean off any debris or dirt from the item used to remove the bird droppings. The adult female (hen) also has a black bill, a light brown head and neck, grading into a darker brown chest and foreback. It is also believed that raccoons can become very nervous inside water, and . They eat a broad range of small aquatic creatures, and supplement this with water weeds. Ducks are interesting creatures that have many unique adaptations for their environment. Since then he has decided to write helpful articles that will help you become a better backyard farmer and know what to do. When diving for food or avoiding predators, ducks can stay submerged for up to a minute without coming up for air. While underwater, diving ducks actually reduce their oxygen intake, their heart rate reduces, and oxygen is released sparingly. That is quite phenomenal. Ducks have palmate feet, meaning, they have webbed feet. A ducks eyes are specially adapted to see clearly in both air and water. The webbing between the toes acts as a paddle, propelling the duck forward. A peek into the inside of a Mallard duck's mouth. When a duck dives underwater, it is looking for food.