Waterbirds of the same family as geese and swans, but generally smaller and shorter-necked. Domestic ducks come mainly from the mallard, domesticated in China around 2000 BC.
This entry covers a whole group, so the answers describe a typical member. For a specific one, see Mallard.
Quick answers
What is it?Bird
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?No
Domesticated?Yes
Awake when?Daytime
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?Sometimes
Domestic ducks are raised for meat and eggs; a few are kept for show or as ornamental birds.
Do people eat it?Yes
Domestic ducks, bred from the mallard, are raised for meat and eggs.
At a glance
Found inWorldwide
HabitatRivers & lakes, Wetland, Coast, Farmland
ColoursBrown, Green, White
SizeSmall
WeightAbout 1.1 kg (mallard)
Legs2
Covered inFeathers
Lives inflocks
Lives for5–10 years
Can fly
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Every continent except Antarctica, including some subantarctic islands.
- What it eats
- Dabbling ducks feed by upending at the surface of fresh water; diving and sea ducks dive for fish and shellfish.
Did you know
Ducklings imprint on the first moving thing they see.
Often confused with
- Goose
Ducks, geese and swans are one family. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than geese and swans.
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