1. Learn More About Ducks
The more birders know about ducks, the more they will understand about how unique and interesting these birds are and how important it can be to promote their preservation. While all ducks share certain characteristics, there is a great deal of trivia about ducks that shows just how distinct these birds are, and those unusual facts can help spark more interest for everyone to protect ducks.
2. Pick Up Fishing Line
Fishing line tangles are a grave threat to ducks and other waterfowl, leading to injuries, amputations, infections and other concerns, not just for adult birds, but also for ducklings that may become tangled in fishing line used in nests. Fishing line, as well as associated tangled hooks or lead sinkers, should always be carefully picked up and properly recycled or discarded out of reach of birds.
3. Control Invasive Predators
Many ducks nest on the ground, even in suburban gardens or other easily accessible areas, and invasive predators can easily raid the nests and kill not only eggs and hatchlings, but also brooding adults. Feral cats are also a concern and should be eliminated from duck nesting areas, and cavity-nesting ducks such as wood ducks should have safe nest boxes that are protected from predators.
4. Offer Healthy Food Choices
Feeding ducks can be a great joy for anyone visiting local lakes and ponds, but instead of offering unhealthy options, give ducks a wider range of treats including cracked corn, grape halves, shredded lettuce and other easy foods. Ducks are omnivorous and will happily sample a wide range of handouts, and offering healthy foods ensures good nutrition for the birds.
5. Avoid Feeding Ducks Bread
Bread is the most common treat offered to ducks, particularly at parks, but it is one of the worst foods that could be given to ducks. Bread has very little nutritional value and a diet of excessive bread can lead to malnutrition and physical deformities. Uneaten bread can also attract rats or other predators, and it may mold or rot, leading to other health concerns not just for ducks, but other wildlife in the area.
6. Join Conservation Organizations
Many bird conservation organizations are dedicated to helping ducks, and joining groups such as Ducks Unlimited and The Waterbird Society, as well as more general conservation organizations, can help ducks by preserving habitat, encouraging research and sharing data to consolidate efforts that will apply to many duck species, as well as other waterfowl and birds in similar habitats.
7. Buy a Duck Stamp
The Federal Duck Stamp program is one of the most successful and efficient habitat conservation efforts in the world, and $.98 of every dollar spent on the stamps goes directly toward conservation, including purchasing and maintaining habitat to benefit all types of waterfowl. The stamps not only benefit the birds, but they also benefit birders with admission to national wildlife refuges for an entire year, providing great opportunities to see more ducks even while helping preserve their habitat.
8. Understand Duck Plumages
Many ducks have stunning plumage, and understanding bird plumages can help birders better understand ducks and their unique needs. While females are often camouflaged, males have bold colors and markings that are easily seen. During the eclipse period of their molt cycle, however, males show unclear markings and are temporarily flightless and more vulnerable to predators and other threats.
9. Visit an Aviary
Ducks of different species, including exotic and endangered species, are often aviary residents, and visiting an aviary helps support that facility and its conservation work. Many aviaries are involved with captive breeding programs that can help bolster endangered duck populations, and the research from aviary observations can be helpful to plan effective conservation measures for wild populations.
10. Add More Ducks to Your Life List
The more ducks a birder sees, the more they will appreciate the different species of ducks throughout the world. Furthermore, traveling to see more ducks, whether by joining birding festivals or visiting different destinations, promotes local avitourism and raises awareness of how valuable ducks can be to local economies, and the more ducks on a birder's life list, the more they will want to see additional species and help ducks even more.