The Ducks are a group of species of animals belonging to the Anatidae family. They are characterized by their vocalizations, which we know as the famous "quack". These animals have webbed feet and display a wide variety of colors in their plumage, as we can find specimens that are completely white, brown and some with emerald green areas. These are, without a doubt, beautiful and curious animals.
You have most likely seen them swimming, lounging, or leisurely walking in a park, however, Have you ever wondered if ducks fly?In this article on our site we answer all your questions and we also explain some curious facts that you cannot miss, keep reading!
Does the duck fly?
As we have told you in advance, the duck belongs to the Anatidae family and, more specifically, to the Anas genus. In this family we find other species of birds that are characterized by inhabiting aquatic environments, in this way they can fully develop and carry out their immigration customs
Ducks are flying animals, so all ducks fly and are capable of traveling great distances and reaching amazing heights as long as they reach their destination each year. There are about 30 species of ducks that are distributed in America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Depending on the species, they feed on seeds, algae, tubers, insects, worms and crustaceans.
How high do ducks fly?
The different species of ducks are characterized by being migratory. They often fly long distances to get away from winter and seek warmer places to breed. Each of these species, therefore, is capable of flying at different altitudes depending on the needs required by the distance they must reach and the adaptations that their bodies have developed.
There is a species that stands out from all the others for the amazing height it is capable of reaching. It is the cinnamon jar (Tadorna ferruginea), a bird that inhabits Asia, Europe and Africa. During the summer season it lives in some areas of Asia, North Africa and Eastern Europe. On the other hand, in winter it prefers to venture near the Nile River and South Asia.
There are some populations of the Cinnamon Jar that spend much of the time around the Himalayas and descend to the lands of Tibet when they arrive the time of breeding. To do this, when spring arrives they need to reach altitudes of 6,800 meters Among the ducks, none reach as high as this species!
This fact was discovered thanks to research carried out by the Center for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter. The study, preceded by Nicola Parr, revealed that the cinnamon jar is capable of undertaking this journey avoiding the highest peaks and crossing the valleys that make up the Himalayas, but this task continues to mean for the species the ability to reach surprising heights.
Why do ducks fly in a V?
Have you had the opportunity to see a flock of ducks flying? If this is not your case, surely you have seen it on television or on the Internet and you have noticed that they always seem to cross the skies organized in such a way that it simulates a letter V ¿ What is this about? There are several reasons.
The first one is that in this way the ducks that make up the group save energy In what way? Each flock has a leader, an older bird with more experience in migrations that directs the others and that, incidentally, receives with greater force the blows of the wind.
However, their presence at the head allows, in turn, to reduce the intensity with which the rest of the group is affected by the air currentsSimilarly, one side of the V receives less air if the ducks on the other side are facing the currents.
In this system, the more experienced ducks take turns taking the role of leader, so that when the bird finds herself tired, she moves to the back of the formation and another takes her place. Despite this, this change of "turn" usually occurs only on the return journey, that is, one duck guides the migratory journey, while another guides the return home.
The second reason they adopt this V-formation is so that the ducks can communicate with each other and make sure that none of group members get lost along the way.
Do swans fly?
The swans are birds similar to ducks, as they also belong to the Anatidae family. These animals of aquatic habits are distributed in different areas of America, Europe and Asia. Although most existing species have white plumage, there are also some that have black feathers.
Like ducks, swans fly and have migratory habits, heading to warmer areas when winter arrives. It is without a doubt one of the 10 most beautiful animals in the world.
