Are Ducks Herbivores? [Exploring the Dietary Lifestyle of These Waterfowls]

Most people wonder if ducks are herbivores. After all, they’re often seen eating all kinds of available food in their natural habitat. But does that mean they’re plant-based creatures?

Ducks are more of omnivores than herbivores. They eat plant-based food and occasionally supplement their diet with insects and small aquatic creatures.

Below, we’ll explore the dietary lifestyle of ducks, from the types of food they eat to their feeding behavior, and the evidence that supports this hypothesis. Read on to learn more!

Are Ducks Really Herbivores?

Surprisingly, ducks aren’t typical herbivores. They have an omnivorous diet consisting of plant matter and small animals. 

They feast on various foods, including aquatic plants, grasses, seeds, fruits, insects, crustaceans, and even small fish.

With flat, broad-shaped beaks, ducks can scoop up vegetation from water or pick insects and small animals off the ground. 

This versatile tool allows them to exploit various food sources, making them highly adaptable in different environments.

While plants make up a significant portion of their diet, ducks rely on animal protein for their growth, energy, and reproduction. 

During the breeding season, they may increase their intake of animal matter to meet the nutritional demands of egg production.

So, while ducks enjoy a vegetarian buffet, they’re far from being strict herbivores.

Plant-Based Foods That Ducks Love to Eat

From aquatic plants to grasses and seeds, ducks have diverse plant-based foods in their natural habitats.

One of their favorites is aquatic plants like water lilies and duckweed. 

These floating greens provide a tasty treat and a convenient way for ducks to forage as they glide across the water. 

Grasses and seeds also comprise a significant portion of their plant-based diet, providing essential nutrients and energy.

Fruits are also their favorite. From berries to fallen apples, ducks won’t hesitate to enjoy these sweet and juicy offerings of nature. 

You can often observe them pecking at fruits that have fallen from trees or shrubs near the bodies of water.

Do All Ducks Eat Plant Matter?

While ducks are intelligent and opportunistic eaters, and their diet consists mainly of plant matter, not all ducks eat solely plant-based food. 

Some ducks have a more omnivorous diet and consume small aquatic animals, insects, and even small fish.

For example, the mallard duck, the most common duck species, consumes diverse plant matter and animal protein. They eat aquatic plants, seeds, grains, and insects.

Other duck species, such as the diving ducks, have a more carnivorous diet and primarily feed on fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals.

We can also consider the age and developmental stage of the ducks. 

Young ducklings have different dietary needs than adult ducks, and their diet may include more animal protein than plant matter to support their growth and development.

Can Ducks Eat Meat?

Ducks can eat small animals, including insects, crustaceans, earthworms, mealworms, slugs, minnows, crickets, feeder fish, lobster or shrimp shells, meat leftovers, or cooked fish.

Animal protein gives ducks the necessary nutrients for growth, energy, and reproduction.

However, ducks do not actively seek meat as a primary food source. They only consume small animals opportunistically. 

They’re not equipped with the sharp beaks and claws of predators, so they rely on easy-to-catch prey like insects or crustaceans.

The type of meat ducks consume is typically small and easy to swallow. They can’t consume larger animals or hunt down prey like birds of prey do. 

Ducks are opportunistic feeders, and their meat consumption is limited to what they can find in their natural habitats.

The Diet of Domestic Ducks

Domesticated ducks have a diet similar to their wild counterparts but with a few additional options. 

These ducks can access a broader range of other food options but still consume plant-based foods, such as aquatic plants, grasses, and insects near their ponds. 

Their diet can include commercially produced duck feed specifically formulated to meet their nutritional needs.

Domestic ducks may consume green beans, grains, oats, fruits, lettuce, and other vegetables commonly found in human households.

Some duck owners also provide their ducks with treats, such as mealworms or crickets, to supplement their diet and add variety. 

These treats can provide a source of animal protein and mimic the tiny insects and crustaceans that ducks typically consume in the wild.

What Do Ducks Eat in the Wild?

Wild ducks are opportunistic feeders and can adapt their diet to what’s available in their environment, including a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods. 

Their diet often includes aquatic plants like water lilies and duckweed, which they forage while swimming in ponds and lakes. 

Grasses and seeds are also a significant part of their diet, providing essential nutrients and energy. 

Wild ducks are also fond of fruits near their natural habitat, including berries and fallen apples.

When it comes to animal-based foods, wild ducks consume small animals, including insects, crustaceans, and small fish. 

However, their preference and focus remain on plant-based foods, with animal protein as a supplemental part of their diet.

Do Ducks Eat Corn?

Corn is often used as a staple food for ducks in the wild and domestic settings. It’s easily digestible and packed with carbohydrates, essential for ducks to maintain their energy levels.

These feathered creatures can’t hesitate to indulge in the tasty treat of fresh corn on the cob or dried corn kernels.

These creative quackers are skilled foragers with beaks designed to scoop corn from the ground, bird feeders, or water.

They also use their tongues to move the corn around in their mouths before pushing them into their esophagus. 

They typically swallow their food whole, so the corn kernels go directly into their digestive system after consumption.

Can Ducks Eat Bread and Other Human Food?

While bread isn’t inherently harmful to ducks, it’s not the best food for them either. 

Ducks have a specialized diet consisting of foods in their natural habitats, such as insects, small fish, and vegetation. 

Bread lacks the necessary nutrients that ducks need to thrive, and it can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health conditions like “angel wings,” where their wings develop abnormally. 

Excessive consumption of bread fills the ducks’ stomachs quickly, leaving little room for more nutritious foods.

Avoid feeding ducks other types of human food, such as chips, crackers, or popcorn. These foods are often high in salt and can be harmful to ducks.

How to Feed Ducks in Captivity

It’s essential to give captive ducks foods that mimic their natural diet. Choose nutritious options like cracked corn, peas, oats, meat leftovers, scrambled eggs, or leafy greens. 

Small amounts of fruits and vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, apples, or berries are also nutritious options.

You can also find specialized duck feed at pet stores specifically formulated to meet their dietary needs. 

These foods give ducks the vital nutrients they need for proper growth, development, and strength. 

Remember to feed ducks in moderation and avoid overfeeding to avoid unhealthy dependency on humans for food.

What Happens If Ducks Don’t Have Access to Plant-based Food?

Duck bodies are adapted to digest plant-based foods. Ducks can suffer from malnutrition and health issues without a proper plant-based diet. 

Plant-based foods provide essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that ducks need for growth and energy.

Without access to plant-based food, ducks may not develop and maintain a healthy immune system. Stunted growth and development can affect their ability to reproduce and survive.

Duck feathers can become dull and brittle, losing insulation and protection from the elements. 

Plant-based foods are also fiber-rich, and fiber deficiency in ducks can lead to digestive issues and other health complications.