About Ducks
The term "duck" collectively refers to a diverse array of waterfowls from the Anatidae family. There are many different species within this group, including Mallards, Combs and Mandarin ducks. Most ducks are known to have long bodies and necks, and webbed feet. They are able to live on both land and in water. This makes them vulnerable prey to aquatic and terrestrial predators.
Communication and Mating Rituals
Male ducks are known as drakes and female ducks are called hens. Ducks communicate with each other by quacking and cooing. They have a wide range of calls and yodels that allow them to communicate with others. Ducks form monogamous bonds that last for approximately one year. The following winter, they seek out a new mate. Their mating rituals include special calls and behaviors. The drake bobs his head up and down in the water to signal his readiness to mate. He also signals to the female by pulling at her neck or feathers or standing on her back and dunking her head into the water.
The Mating Process
Ducks are known to be more fertile in water than on land; a majority of mating between ducks takes place in the water. The female usually returns to the site where she was hatched to breed. Duck reproduction is sexual, but does not involve any penetration or copulatory organs. Both the male and female have an opening called a cloaca. The cloaca is an excretory and sexual opening. During mating, the male and female press their cloacas together; this is how sperm is passed to the female. The male's sperm travels up the oviduct and to the female's eggs. Fertilization occurs when the sperm penetrates the egg(s). Prior to being laid, the egg is coated with various membranes and secretions that form the shell. The egg is then laid and incubated by the hen until it is ready to hatch.
Incubation and Ducklings.
The average duck lays approximately 5 to 12 eggs. A correlation has been found between solar exposure and the number of eggs laid. The higher the duck's exposure to the sun, the more eggs she will lay. Incubation typically lasts 28 to 35 days. Ducklings do not need food or water for the first 72 hours; they retain the yolk sac from the egg, which provides them with nutrients. The ducklings are able to fly within 5 to 8 weeks of hatching.
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