How To Tell If A Duck Likes You? 14 Clear Signs Of Affection!

If ducks find you gentle and trustworthy, they follow you, try to cuddle, nibble on your hands and toes, softly quack, and communicate to be closer. Most specifically, they look so cheerful around you! Which is a sign of their affection.

Also, I have some valuables you can follow to gain their trust and attention. So, spend two more minutes here to understand their different gestures that indicate they like you!

14 Duck Body Language: How To Tell If A Duck Likes You?

Ducks are pretty intelligent, so they’ll be fond of you when they find you trustworthy. They show their emotion and affection in a different language.

Although such avians have complex communication patterns and different moods based on their environment, understanding their affection is challenging.

Generally, ducks use body language and vocalization to communicate. According to Middlesex University London in Britain, ducks have regional accents similar to humans.

Aside from that, waterfowl show some other behavior that indicates ducks like you a lot.

1. Follow You Around

The first sign of ducks’ love and affection! If ducks like you, they’ll follow you anywhere you go. But what does it mean when a duck follows you? They try to grab your attention.

Waterfowl usually follow you in the yard when they imprint on you. They may consider you their mother or leader or follow you for food. Ducks follow you, the way ducklings march behind the mother ducks in a straight line.

Here is a video of momma ducks and ducklings roaming around.

However, if they find you harmless, they make you their source of security and companionship. But such behavior changes when ducks mature.

2. Vocalizations and Soft Quacking

Ducks are known as quacking birds. But they also sound like quacking, chattering, hissing, or peeping. Each of the sounds has a different emotion and intention.

Ducks either quack to seek attention and excitement or to show distress. I even noticed them quacking or making sounds like honk-honk-honk.

Usually, they make noise with hostile calls for love while receiving food or treats and run towards you after a long absence. They make a soft quack tone and wag their tails when in a good fondness mood.

But non-stop quacking is a way to express irritation. Keep it in mind!

Related Readings: Why Do Ducks Quack At Night

3. Cuddling and Hugging

Cuddling or hugging is a common form of expressing love! Same for the ducks. While cuddling, ducks make themselves warm, doze off and snuggle. 

I found them cuddling by pushing their beak on the body as their beak is full of nerve endings. The comfortable part is that they feel good while rubbing the beak against you.

Ducks, exceptionally tame ducks like you, they will try to cuddle and express love. It’s a way to show they’re comfortable with you.

You may notice the ducks are climbing on your lap or lying in your arms. But aggression comes when it’s a female duck beside you. Sometimes, they try to bite you, especially the Peking ducks!

Related Readings: Aggressive Duck Behavior

4. Ducks Imprinting

Duck imprinting is where mother ducks act like a metaphorical stamp. They leave an impression in the brain to guide the young ducklings.

But how do you know if a duck has imprinted on you? Here, ducklings imprint on you during the critical period. They think of you as a mother or protector.

It becomes a lifetime bonding, so ensure they feel safe! They typically fall right after hatching or emerging from eggs in between 12-36 hours. However, imprinting is a significant point that keeps the ducks in your favor!

5. Ducks Gently Nibble

Ducks gently gnawing or nibbling is a preening action and a sure sign of ducks’ love for the owner. Nibbling on toes and hands is a gesture that we usually notice.

It’s about gentle nibble when ducks need love and food. Or it can be a sign of trust and familiarity. Such behavior causes a tingling sensation, but don’t worry. They won’t hurt you!

6. Bob The Head

Ducks, particularly the wild male ducks, bob their heads up and down to show their happiness or when they are ready to mate with a female duck. It’s actually a ducks courtship display.

But when it’s about domesticated ducks, it indicates their excitement for someone or something. It’s a way of saying I love you!

However, when ducks bob their head over the side, it is a sign they are grumpy. For example, they warn another male to avoid their female duck. Jokes apart! But it’s an angry emotion when they bob their head that way.

7. Comfortably Sleep Near You

Ducks always select a safe location to sleep. So, if you gain their trust, they’ll feel secure enough to nap near you.

There is a surprising fact! Ducks sleep with one eye open! One eye controls the brain for rest and the other for remaining alert for a predator attack.

Ducks are vulnerable while sleeping. Usually, ducks sleep with their group, but it’s their way of showing love and trust if they are near you.

8. Waterfowls Petting

Ducks, particularly the males, enjoy being petted by their owners since they tend to be more passive and docile than females. So, if you give them proper attention and care, they’ll be your loyal companion in the yard.

They especially prefer to be petted under the lower mandible. You’ll also see them closing their eyes in relaxation as you rub them.

9. They Play If They Like You

Ducks love to play when they find the owner a friendly person. So, you can bring some colorful toys or bells to them. Or you’ll see them playing with each other, and it’s a sign that they are comfortable near you and will play with you as well.

In the case of ducklings, I see them starting a party around the water. Here is a video you can check!

However, you can attach sparkly trinkets or mirrors as they love to see themselves in shiny objects. I also suggest bringing them toys like plastic wadding tools or parrot toys.

Let them play on the ground or in the pond. It makes them more cheerful and energetic. It’s a way to make a good bond.

Related Read: Do Ducks Like the Rain

10. Ducks Preening

Mutual preening is about mating pairs or showing closeness. Ducks usually preen after swimming; as you know, they are groomers. While ducks start preening the feathers near you, it’s a way to express they like you.

11. Tail Wags Or Wing Flapping

Ducks express their emotion by using their tails. Ducks typically wag or wiggle their tails to show excitement and happiness near the owner.

Sometimes, they flap their wings and quack while following you.

12. Nesting Behavior

Ducks prefer to remain safe from predators. So, keep their house in a location where the eggs or ducklings will be safe. According to ScienceDirect, Pekin ducks expect their nest site to be established.

So, keep the nesting home near you, and they’ll feel safe. It is what makes them fond of you!

13. They Love Swimming Near You

In the water, ducks may swim near you. It’s a clear sign of love.

Related Reading: Ducks Swimming Behavior

14. They Are Grooming You

Ducks are also seen grooming the owner’s clothes or hair. It’s what shows their liking and bonding!

How Do You Get A Duck To Trust You? Adore Them!

Can ducks love humans? How do you get ducks to trust? Such questions make everything complicated.

Getting any pet’s trust is a challenging journey. It takes time, patience, and, most importantly, regular interaction and communication. 

But if you adore them frequently, they’ll be friendly so fast. To gain their trust, ensure you keep my advice in mind!

• Gentle And Calm Behavior: While interacting and arriving near the duck’s coop, do calmly and gently with your ducks. They can understand your nature.
• Good Relationship: Ducks love to get care, hugs, good food, and a companion to play with. You can be the companion!
• Feeding: Be a lovely pet owner who offers healthy treats to their ducks—for example, worms, sliced fruits, or chopped lettuce. You can hand-feed them to gain their trust more quickly.
• Petting: Ducks love being petted, so pet them properly with love. If they become fond of you, they’ll snuggle and doze off.
• Spend Some Time: Ducks want your attention and time. So, spend some time and let them feel your presence is safe for them.
• Ensure Their Shelter: Keep your ducks in a secluded place where they feel safe. Make them think you are protecting the duck from predators. Here, you can make a coop somewhere the predators cannot enter.

How Long Does It Take To Get The Ducks Attention?

Ducks become fond of their owner when they get attention and love. But it may vary from breed to breed and their personality and environment. 

Getting your ducks’ trust and attention can be within a moment to a long process. But my broad research found they actually react based on your caress.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions to explain ducks’ affection for their owner.

Final Words: How To Tell If A Duck Likes You?

So, you learned that feathered friends usually like you when they follow you around, imprint on you, try to cuddle, play, and make soft quack noise. These natural behaviors indicate, “I like you, my owner.” However, do gain their trust and let them feel comfortable all around.

Ducks have a unique personality and behavior. You must perform duties like proper caring, feeding, communicating, and interacting as a family member to gain their attention and love.

Sources And References:

• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/what-to-watch-for-duck-courtship-video/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731120300690