Ducks are frequently spotted on a variety of ponds and lakes but do ducks eat duckweed? Duckweed is often a problem in ponds and lakes, but it provides food for ducks.
Duckweed is a small, fast-growing aquatic plant that inhabits water bodies all over the world and is particularly abundant in North America.
Duckweed usually grows in a dense colony, and it is often confused with algae, especially since it is such a small organism.
Duckweed is more than an irritant; it is also a great food source for ducks and other aquatic birds.
Do Ducks Eat Duckweed?
Ducks are omnivorous birds which means they eat a variety of food including duckweed. Most ducks don’t eat weed as a main food item. The only duck species that eats duckweed as a secondary food item is the wood duck.
Duckweed is eaten by many different waterfowl species. Ducks that are surface feeders like mallards, teals, and wood ducks will eat it for sure.
Duckweed is a very nutritious food for ducks and offers some health benefits. Ducks typically eat duckweed that is growing in or right next to water, however they also eat it when it is surfacing water.
Duckweed is not needed for ducks but does supply some other nutrients, so its not a waste for them. Duckweed is a beneficial and nutritional part of the duck diet.
Ducks that eat duckweed include:
- Muscovy ducks
- Wood ducks
- Wild ducks
- Teal ducks
- Mallard ducks
What Is Duckweed?
Duckweed is a minute aquatic plant. It is frequently seen in ponds and slow, moving streams. Due to its minute size it is often confused for algae. Duckweed is usually green or red, with the diameter being anywhere between 1–15 mm long.
Although it may look like algae, it is not algae at all. Duckweed is flowering plants, which means it reproduces by dispersing seeds or spores, while algae reproduce themselves through tiny cells.
Duckweed may not appear to be of much significance but it is an important part of the ecosystem.
Being a floating plant means that the plant can easily be displaced by water. Duckweed’s small size allows the plant to float on top of the water, rather than sink like other plants.
Duckweed has anywhere between one and four leaves, and it will have a single root protruding off of its underside (also known as a “rootstock”) and can be found in many places of the world.
Although it may appear that duckweed is an invasive plant, it is a very important plant for ducks and other animals, that inhabit areas of water.
Ducks rely on duckweed primarily to eat through the winter when other food sources are not readily available. Duckweed is also an excellent source of protein for ducks in general and is often used in animal feed, especially for animals raised for meat.
Is Duckweed Good for Ducks?
Yes, but not exactly in the way you might be thinking, ducks (and geese) consume duckweed so that they can swallow a bit of protein and energy from it. But, if they only had the duckweed as their food source- or – they eat duckweed to excess, then it doesn’t produce a good diet and can lead to a host of problems.
The reason being that ducks are omnivores and if they eat any food, they need more than just protein.
Ducks also need minerals, vitamins, important nutrients like vitamin B12 (from animals) and when faced with cooler temperatures the energy from fat, etc.
Duckweed does not hold enough of those needed nutrients, which is why it is important to not depend on duckweed for ducks (or other waterfowl food).
They also need other foods including layers, and pellets and grains, corn, peas, and even worms.
Conclusion
During the spring and summer months, ducks will consume duckweed when it is readily available. Ducks usually obtain other plants and vegetation that may be larger, but will consume duckweed if there is no alternative food source to eat nearby.
If ducks have readily available access to a multitude of food sources, they will likely consume primarily larger plants and vegetation and then only consume duckweed when they have an abundant food source.