Duck, duck, don't: Is it okay to feed wild ducks?

Photo by Larry Reis

 

If you close your eyes and imagine your perfect day in the park, it might include walking the trail while the sun shines down, gazing upon beautiful plants and tossing bread into the pond for the ducks. This fantasy sounds innocent, but feeding wild ducks can come with some unintended consequences.

Feeding ducks bread may seem harmless, but the carbohydrate- heavy meal has essentially zero nutritional value. This can be dangerous especially for growing ducks, resulting in a growth disorder called angel wing, which can inhibit flight. Because bread expands in water, this food can make ducks feel fuller and discourage them from foraging for more nutritious food choices. This same idea applies to other bread products, popcorn, crackers and chips.

Along with nutritional issues, overfeeding ducks can make them reliant on humans for food, and cause overcrowding. Overcrowding can cause issues when ducks lay eggs in a similar spot, making food scarcer, and mating season more competitive. Even if you only feed ducks once in a while, think about how many other people may also be feeding them. Ducks and other waterfowl are omnivorous foragers (meaning they eat all kinds of food) and can find food on their own.

What do ducks normally eat in the wild? Ducks have a varied diet, consisting of aquatic plants, small insects, amphibians, fish, berries and nuts. Ducks and other waterfowl do not have teeth, so they use lamellae, a filter-like structure inside their beak, to sift through the water to find food. This means ducks cannot chew like humans or other animals with a full set of pearly-whites.

When feeding ducks, consider their natural diet. Lettuce, kale and pea shoots are some healthier options for ducks. Some other choices are fresh or frozen peas, halved or quartered grapes and cooked or uncooked corn (not popcorn) off the cob. Be mindful of the age of the ducks, since young ducklings may have different food requirements. When in doubt, leave these birds to find their own food. If you choose to feed ducks or other waterfowl, do so in moderation. At the end of the day, ducks are wild animals. All wild animals should be treated with respect and viewed from a distance.

Iowa has a host of duck breeds, and they each play an important role in their local ecosystem. Being thoughtful about feeding them and allowing them to find their own food helps the ecosystem function as it should. The next time you visit a pond with ducks, observe them for a moment as they filter through the water, peck the ground for an insect treat or snack on some berries.