These numbers vary on where the breed resides, and how deep the water of their surroundings usually is. For example, Olympic swimmers can swim at speeds of around 6 miles per hour. Shes a former national park ranger who has written three books on eco-friendly living. This helps it move more quickly through the water. By diving down into the water, they can access these food sources that would otherwise be out of reach. Since diving ducks have to collect food underwater, theyve evolved a much greater capacity to dive than other ducks. Diving ducks possess many specialized adaptations that make them uniquely suited to exploit deep-water habitats. It allows the ducks to move more easily through the water and also reduces turbulence, making them less visible to predators. Their circulatory system is adept at functioning with low oxygen, and they have a high tolerance for asphyxia. 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. These feathers are called oil glands and they help keep the water off of the ducks body. DU TV airs July through December on the Sportsman Channel. What Are Ducks Doing When They Dive Underwater? How Fast Can Ducks Swim & How Do They Swim? - Misfit Animals Their bodies are specifically designed for this purpose, with waterproof feathers and webbed feet that help them move quickly through the water. Ducks use their speed to escape from predators and catch prey. When a duck submerges its head, it is able to see and hunt for food more easily. Access exclusive features, tips, & more by downloading DU's App. Why Do Female Cardinals Fly into Windows. Baby ducks for example, havent developed their preen gland, so they receive the protective super oil from their mother. One thing that all types of ducks have in common is their waterproof feathers. Ducks are faster than most people think, both in the water, in the air, and on the ground. Assuming you are referring to a wild duck, they can dive up to 60 feet below the waters surface in search of food. Your email address will not be published. Follow Birdfact on your favorite social media channels for daily updates and fascinating facts. The females are usually pale brown, with a darker back and crown and a whitish face. Many people believe that ducks can breathe underwater, but this is not the case. Incidentally, this water filtering system is similar to the way in which whales feed in the ocean. They act as paddles, helping ducks swim fast and far, and because ducks don't have any nerves or blood vessels in their feet, they can easily tolerate cold water. Their webbed feet provide a propulsive force that moves them forward. Contrary to what you might see around the pond, the main foods ducks eat are not bread or popcorn. It turns out that ducks can hold their breath for up to a minute and they can swim under water for up to 50 feet (15 meters). This allows them to make the most of each breath, making it last longer. Also, little ducklings can get tired of paddling in the water, and if theyre too far from shallow water, they can drown. Close-up of a swimming duck's webbed feet. It can stay submerged for up to a minute at a time before coming up for air. Like other specialized diving birds, diving ducks also have an unusually high tolerance for asphyxia, or lack of air. When in water, they use their trunks to breathe. Most species of ducks have wings that are short, strong, and pointed to accommodate the bird's need for fast, continuous strokes, as many duck species migrate long distances in the winter months. This means when they do pop underwater for a little look, it is only for a few seconds at a time. However, ducks can swim at speeds of around 6 mph, which is probably at least as fast as they can move underwater. During this time, ducklings are often observed dunking themselves underwater and diving short distances to catch small insects. The deepest you can snorkel is around 1.5 to 2 feet deep before it becomes impossible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 115 Stone Mountain St, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaPhone: (770) 619-6300Email: info@duckadvice.com. The outermost eyelid is transparent, allowing light to pass through it and reach the retina even when the duck is submerged. So, how do they do it? Ducks Diving for Mussels | Planet Earth | BBC Earth. Most ducks can swim underwater for short distances of a foot or two, but diving ducks such as eiders, Long-tails, and mergansers take this to the next level and are capable of diving up to considerable depths. So next time you see a duck swimming on top of the water or waddling around on land, remember that they are also capable of diving deep below the surface in search of food or refuge from predators. Ducks can certainly drown if they stay underwater for long enough. They do this by exhaling before they dive and holding their breath while they are under the water. Ducks are excellent swimmers. Most dives are shorter, lasting for around 10 to 30 seconds. Ducks swimming underwater - crystal clear water - close up These swimming birds can stay submerged for up to 30 to 70 seconds and have been seen to swim as far as 45 meters. He also loves to play tennis and read books. On average they dive for roughly 12 seconds, but they are capable of staying underwater for about 25 seconds. These are medium sized ducks that are found in southern Europe, Northern Africa and western and central Asia. Did you know that ducks can swim underwater? It often feeds alongside flocks of wild geese and swans on damp grassland. This adaptation allows them to dive deeper in search of food or escape predators. How far you can go underwater when you're snorkelling depends on how long you can hold your breath for. Diver ducks can stay underwater for much longer than dabbling ducks. There are several reasons why ducks put their head under water. They eat a broad range of small aquatic creatures, and supplement this with water weeds. The first reason is to see better underwater. The deepest diving duck is the Common eider, which can dive to depths of around 60 to 65ft (20 to 25m). They usually build nests by the lakeside among vegetation and can lay up to 8 12 eggs at a time. On passage and wintering will also frequent coastal waters, inland seas and large, open lagoons. It turns out that ducks can see quite well underwater. Looking for a great place to work? They usually weigh about 2 to 2.5 lbs with the makes weighing slightly more than the females. These ducks can swim underwater and eat a wider variety of food than dabbling ducks including vegetation, invertebrates and fish.

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