Author: Lorraine Wade

Texas’ coastal waterfowl habitat continues to shrink with urbanization, declines in rice agriculture and other land-use changes, making the region able to support fewer wintering waterfowl. And heavy hunting pressure in remaining coastal areas that do hold good habitat can push those birds to seek better quarters. Are there ducks in Texas? Only 10 of […]

Evolutionary cousins of chickens and ducks roamed the Earth with dinosaurs more than 65 millions years ago, according to a new study that runs counter to a key assumption about when birds got their footing on the planet. What dinosaur did a duck evolve from? Found in Mongolia, Halszkaraptor escuilliei looked and hunted like a […]

Fish is a low-fat high-quality protein that is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and many other proteins vitamins and minerals. Ducks eat fish because they are curious creatures that will chase and taste anything, but that’s beside the point. Can ducks eat raw catfish? Yes, ducks do eat fish. Ducks are omnivorous birds, who eat […]

You’ve likely seen your ducks gobble up a complex array of foods around their pen. So, it might get you wondering—do ducks eat frogs? The quick answer is yes, ducks eat frogs. Do ducks frogs? Since ducks are omnivores, many breeds eat small-sized frogs and toads. It usually happens when food supplies are low. Many […]

Ducks need minimal shelter. They should have the option of getting out of the rain, sun, and wind if they choose. For up to four ducks, a good sized dog house is quite sufficient (2 feet by three feet for 2 ducks; 3 feet by 4 feet for four ducks). Make sure that the opening […]

A drake is a fully sexually mature adult male duck of any duck species, wild or domestic. Males need not have attracted a mate or sired ducklings to be called a drake. The term “drake” (rhymes with “lake” or “bake”) refers exclusively to males while the term duck can refer to either gender. Are ducks […]

Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, and may be found in both fresh water and sea water. Ducks are sometimes confused with several types of unrelated water birds with similar forms, such as loons or divers, grebes, gallinules and coots. Where do the ducks live? Ducks are also called ‘waterfowl’ because they are normally found in […]

Like raccoons, skunks are foraging animals that delight in chance encounters with duck nests and occasionally eat ducklings, too. Do skunks eat chickens? While skunks will kill young chickens and eat eggs, they rarely kill mature chickens. Because skunks are nocturnal, they can be hard to catch in the act of raiding the chicken coop. […]

The main way that ducks protect themselves is by either flying or swimming away when they detect a predator. Do ducks have a defense mechanism? The mallard’s main defense is flight. They can spring from the water, hover a short time, and then fly away. A mother duck will protect her clutch of eggs or […]

Black scoter. The black scoter or American scoter (Melanitta americana) is a large sea duck, 43 to 49 cm (17 to 19 in) in length. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek melas “black” and netta “duck”. What is the name of a sea duck? They include eiders (common, spectacled, Steller’s and king), scoters […]

Thanks to their dissimilar reproductive organs, it is nearly impossible for ducks and chickens to mate. However, do not rule it out entirely, as some mischievous birds would still make an attempt even if it is potentially detrimental to their health. Can a chicken give birth to a duck? BRITISH scientists are creating genetically modified […]

Stop ducks getting bored Some ducks start breaking eggs out of boredom so give them plenty of things to entertain them. Vegetables, cubed in a bowl or hanging from their run, will keep them occupied and provide a healthy snack. Why do ducks roll their eggs? The hen uses her bill and feet to roll […]