Ducks

Fun Facts About Ducks

• Ducks have waterproof feathers thanks to a special oil produced by a gland at the base of their tail. They spread this oil while preening.
• A popular myth has it that the classic "quack" sound of ducks does not echo. It actually does, however. It's just that they often live in open, watery areas without large, hard reflective surfaces nearby to produce a noticeable echo.
• A group of ducks on the water is commonly called a "raft" or "paddling" because they float close together for safety. When in flight, they are referred to as a "flock" or "skein." When on land, they are a "waddling."
• Ducks can sleep with one eye open and half their brain awake, allowing them to monitor the environment for predators.
• Ducks can fly extremely high. Their close relatives, bar-headed geese, have been recorded flying over the Himalayas at nearly 29,000 feet, and many ducks reach 10,000–15,000 feet during migration.
• Some duck species can dive extremely deep. The long-tailed duck has been recorded diving to depths exceeding 200 feet to feed on crustaceans and small fish.
• Ducks have excellent color vision. They can see ultraviolet light, helping them spot certain foods and plumage patterns invisible to humans.
• Wood ducks are unique North American waterfowl, recognized as one of the few duck species that regularly perch in trees. They have sharp claws to help them grip branches.