Do Ducks Bury Their Eggs? Yes, They Bury To Hide The Eggs!

Ducks owners often noticed ducks bury their eggs, but they didn’t know the reason behind it. It’s actually not burying in a traditional sense. It’s making a safe nest and concealing the eggs from any threats.

So, do ducks burry their eggs? No, ducks do not bury their eggs. Female ducks or chickens dig a shallow trench in the ground and cover their eggs with leaves and other flora. You may notice them plucking feathers from their breasts to line the nest.

There are some hidden reasons for noticing such behavior in ducks. Read further to find out why ducks bury their own eggs! As if they’re killing their own child!

Why Do Ducks Bury Their Eggs? 5 Hidden Truth!

Ducks usually make nests on the ground or in hidden spots. But the idea of burying their eggs is just an illusion!

Here are a few reasons why some ducks might appear to bury their eggs:

1. Camouflage and Predator Protection

Burying eggs helps ducks hide them from predators. It makes them less noticeable and lowers the chances of being found and eaten.

Ducks additionally protect their eggs using down feathers when they go purposefully for a nest break. 

So, do ducks cover their eggs when they leave?

Yes, ducks cover their eggs while leaving for food or for any environmental problems. But sometimes, they forget to conceal it and leave the eggs in threat!

A predator gets the eggs from the nest when ducks don’t bury or conceal them. It’s what I found from the USGS research based on ducks and their egg-laying time.

Check out the image of the way ducks hide their eggs inside their nests.

2. Smart Nesting Spots

Do you know where ducks build their nest? Ducks are quite smart and clever, so they pick a safe and comfortable spot out of vegetation, grass, and leaves. A secluded place is what they search for!

Picking locations close to the water offers protection. Plus, their offspring can easily get food and stay safe in aquatic environments.

3. Temperature Control

Ducks bury eggs in places with changing temperatures to keep them warm. They cover their eggs with soil or leaves to control the temperature. This ensures that the eggs stay at the right range for proper development.

4. Moisture Management

When the ground is dry, burying eggs keeps them moist to protect the growing embryos. The soil or plants near the eggs can keep water, helping them hatch in the best conditions.

5. Hidden Incubation

Nesting isn’t just for protection; it’s also crucial for ducks incubation. Female ducks sit on the nest to incubate the eggs, regulating temperature for optimal embryonic development. This process is vital for successfully hatching healthy ducklings.

Note: People often find their buff, khaki, runner, or rouen female doing this. Well, it’s nothing to be concerned about. It’s their behavior when they’re about to hatch eggs.

Do All Ducks Bury Their Eggs?

No, not every duck buries its eggs. Most ducks make nests on the ground or in hidden spots. For example – under bushes or in tree holes instead of burying their eggs. And if they hide their eggs, it’s also a natural behavior.

These nests are built from grass and feathers, with a soft lining of female duck down. This snug structure keeps the eggs warm and safe from the elements.

But some exceptions are there! For example, Muscovy ducks may lay their eggs on the ground and cover them with leaves. This habit is thought to be a means of protecting the eggs from predators.

Duck eggs can successfully hatch in a nest without being buried. In fact, hiding the eggs can be dangerous if not done correctly. If the eggs are buried too deeply, they may not receive enough oxygen, which could be harmful.

Do Ducks Bury Their Eggs in Dirt?

No, ducks do not usually bury their eggs in the ground. Ducks, as previously said, often build nests on the ground or in covert spots from materials such as grass, reeds, or leaves. The objective of these nests is to create a safe and sheltered environment for the eggs during incubation.

Where Do Ducks Hide or Bury Their Eggs?

Ducks don’t bury their eggs in the ground, but they meticulously select concealed locations for nesting. The specific spots where ducks hide or nest their eggs depend on the species and the environment. Let’s explore some common places!

• Ground Nests: Many ducks craft nests on the ground in hidden areas like tall grass, reeds, or beneath bushes, creating a natural hiding spot for eggs.
• Vegetation and Brush: Ducks often opt for spots with dense vegetation or brush to construct their nests. This choice offers both concealment and protection for the eggs.
• Marshy Areas: Ducks inhabiting marshy environments. They may conceal their nests among the tall grasses or reeds surrounding the water.
• Islands: In water-based habitats, ducks may select islands as nesting sites, allowing them to create nests in a more isolated and protected setting.
• Tree Cavities: Certain duck species, especially those nesting in wooded areas, may utilize tree cavities or nest in elevated locations to safeguard their eggs from predators.

In summary, ducks prefer to make a nest where the human and predator interaction is less. However, you can check the video of University of North Dakota biology students doing research on duck nests.

When Ducks Keep Their Eggs Visible?

I already said it’s not burying eggs; it’s their way of keeping the eggs and nests safe. However, ducks won’t bury due to reasons such as –

• Insulation and Protection: Nests keep eggs safe from the weather. It controls temperature and humidity. Burying them might mess up this balance and put the baby ducks at risk. So, they may not do that.
• Having Protection from Predators: Ducks pick nest spots that hide their eggs from predators. Their first priority is in dense plants or hidden spaces. However, you can ensure a safe place for your pet ducks so they will not bury their eggs.
• Visible Eggs for Incubation: Nests make eggs easy for the mama duck to see and sit on for warmth. Often, they find it difficult to hatch eggs. So they may avoid it.
• Easy Egg Rescue: After the eggs hatch, the mama duck needs to get her ducklings from the nest. Burying eggs would make this tricky and slow down the reunion with her babies. So they may not completely bury the eggs.

Note: Wild ducks usually pick such places for nesting and burying eggs. But when it’s about pet ducks or domesticated ducks, make sure to arrange all the safety measures for them to hatch eggs.

Recommended Reading: Why Do Ducks Move Their Eggs

Conclusion

In summary, it’s a misconception that ducks bury their eggs. Well, they do it, but the reasons are positive as they try to protect the eggs. Ducks actually follow some tricks while making nests to save eggs from predator attacks. Besides, they bury eggs for temperature control, moisture management, or as a hidden incubation.

Surprisingly, not all ducks do the same, and they keep the dirt or soil in mind. They avoid the places. They pick places like islands, ground nests, marshy areas, tree cavities, or vegetation. But be specific for wild or domesticated ducks!