If you know about predator-prey relationships, ducks interact with many dangerous animals in the wild and get caught. Animals prey on ducks as an opportunist to balance their dietary need.
There is a long list of duck predators, but I mainly noticed birds like eagles, owls, or hawks target the ducks, geese, and ducklings. You may see land-based predators, raccoons, foxes, or minks, which show carnivore nature. Even some aquatic creatures or fish attack the ducks as a predator.
Although you cannot keep the wild one safe, at least the backyard pet duck will be safe. Because I got some tips for you! It’s about the way you can save your ducks from the predators.
What Predators Kill Ducks? Here Is A List Of Duck Predators!
I cannot specifically blame the predators that kill ducks. But in nature, waterfowl are quite unsafe when in the wild but a little safe in the backyard. It’s because no dangerous animals can enter the yard.
Basically, it’s an act of nature! Where there is a predator-prey relationship. Either one eats, or another gets eaten. While discussing the food chain hierarchy, predators eat avians.
Wait! Let me tell you something interesting before calling the ducks innocent. Ducks look harmless, but they are wild and predators, too! They hunt plenty of creatures in the wild.
They can even eat their species while in need. Although they don’t attack other ducks, they enjoy eating duck meat. A cannibal effect or cannibalistic behavior in ducks and ducklings!
However, we will focus on what creatures love to eat their meat. Let me share a comprehensive list of predators that kill ducks.
| 7 Types Of Predators | Names Of Predators |
|---|---|
| Predatory Birds | Falcons Eagles Hawks Owls |
| Birds Of Prey (Ducklings) | Cormorants Gulls Herons Corvid |
| Aquatic Predators | Crocodile Alligators Bullfrogs |
| Land-based Predators | Raccoons Red Foxes Skunks Minks Weasels Cats Dogs |
| Mammals | Humans Bears Wolves Coyotes Badger Otters Bobcats |
| Reptiles | Snakes Snapping Turtles |
| Predatory Fish | Northern Pike Blue Catfish Largemouth Bass |
Why Do Predators Eat Ducks? To Fulfil Their Dietary Needs!
Predatory birds or birds of prey usually target baby ducks because they are small and weak. But ducks are not safe! Basically, it’s their available food source in nature.
Predators of ducks get rich nutrients from ducks’ meat, so they take the opportunity. Preying on waterfowl is their way of survival, and it impacts the natural population.
Ducks control the population by eating some creatures, or animals hunt ducks to win over the duck population. However, let’s talk about the habits and reasons of different animals as a hunter of ducks.
1. Predatory Birds
Predatory birds are the first enemy of ducks! They attack ducks or ducklings to ingest some rich nutrients from the duck’s meat. However, let me clear it specifically!
- Falcon: Peregrine falcons with sharp nails will grab the ducks at over 200 mph. They have strong hunting abilities.
- Eagles: The most powerful birds of prey and apex predators! Especially the bald eagle from East attacks on ducks or ducklings. When flying, their talons help grip a sharp razor-hooked bill and quickly cut the ducks’ meat.
- Hawks: A daytime hunter! I saw that sea hawks have a unique hunting ability with sharp eyesight. They hunt or snatch ducks, geese, or chickens as well. Whether in the yard or wild, ducks are not safe from them.
- Owls: An enemy of poultry flocks! They just attack the ducks by swooping down from above!
They generally try to hunt ducks at night like the thief! Jokes apart! Such nocturnal animals show their interest in ducks, ducklings, or eggs.
2. Birds Of Prey (Ducklings)
Some birds try to catch only the little ones, as adult ducks seem tricky to carry for eating. However, if it’s about catching baby ducks, here are the birds who usually attack on ducklings.
- Cormorants: An aquatic bird with wildness! They just attack ducks when found in water. It’s basically their opportunist nature to get some nutrients from waterfowls.
- Gulls: In Canada’s maritime province and coastal regions, the increase of gulls and other predators has drastically decreased the nest and duckling survival. According to the Somerset County Gazette, many park enthusiasts have seen ducklings being eaten by seagulls.
- Herons: Large herons prey on small animals. For example, ducks in the water near ponds, lakes, rivers, seas, or swamps. They even attack the reptiles or insects!
- Corvid: Corvid families, like crows, magpies, or ravens, are opportunist hunter birds. Basically, they prefer eggs and ducklings with their sharp beak.
Corvids significantly impact diver species like ducks, which nest over the water mostly in Canadian parklands like canvasbacks, redheads, and rink-necked waterfowl.
3. Aquatic Predators
Ducks spend almost half of their time in the water. When in the wild, they’re at significant risk because of water creatures. Let me give some aquatic animals names that hunt the ducks in water.
- Crocodiles Or Alligators: They strike explosively on ducks or other small aquatic creatures. The powerful jaws and sharp teeth help to kill the ducks with a bite. It seems brutal, but it’s the way of nature.
- Bullfrogs: You used to know ducks eat tadpoles or frogs, but when it comes to bullfrogs, ducks are in danger, especially the ducklings. It’s because bullfrogs just swallow the entire baby ducks. They hunt ducks with their swift tongue flips.
4. Land-based Predators
The list is long, but I’ll mention the frequently noticeable duck predators. They usually show their vulnerability near the nesting sites for some food sources. Either they consume baby ducks or the eggs. But mature ducks are not safe as well.
- Raccoons: Not a native to all but a land-dwelling hunter! They don’t actively look for duck or their nest. Basically, they are opportunists. Through gaps in the meshing and wire netting, raccoons will hunt and rip off the bird’s head. But they fear humans, so they won’t dare to come if the guardian is there.
- Red Foxes: A predator from the prairie pothole region! Red foxes are active for upland-nesting duck species like mallards and pintails. They actually steal eggs or attack the ducklings most. So, ducks may hide or bury their eggs in a safe place.
- Skunks: A forager who eats ducklings or their eggs in early spring. Occasionally, such creatures get their feet wet and go over water ducks.
- Minks: Another hunter of ducks with agile swimming ability! They visit the water to catch ducks or ducklings. They just bite the necks of their prey.
- Weasels: A creature from rodent families that constantly looks for an option to attack the vent region. But they don’t eat the birds like ducks. They kill them and leave the bloody body in the land.
- Rats: Some rats are giant and carry toxicity in them. Although they don’t eat ducks, they ruin the nest and eat their eggs. Therefore, ducks know of such predators and don’t leave the nesting area. Sometimes, they eat rats.
- Cats: Another domestic animal that sometimes attacks ducks as a predator. While interacting with ducklings, they may bite and kill the little one.
- Dogs: Same case! Dogs are pet animals but may kill ducks or ducklings by biting them. It’s because they have predatory instincts.
5. Mammals
Although I have already introduced some mammals, I found some interesting facts about such mammals. Let’s talk!
- Humans: We humans love eating duck meat for high protein. We make duck farms for human consumption. So, humans can be the most significant predators who just take the duck for eating purposes.
- Bears: Opportunist omnivore predators who catch ducks, eggs, and ducklings. But they don’t look for ducks as their must-have diet.
- Wolves: The carnivore predator in the wild!
- Coyotes: Typically target the injured weak ducks.
- Badger: Such animals eat ducks because of their omnivore nature. But they raid the nests more.
- Otters: A swimmer who catches ducks from the water body. Either they catch fish or grab the ducklings.
- Bobcats: Ducks are not even safe from Bobcats. They show their predatorial behavior on waterfowl.
6. Reptiles
Among many reptiles, Snakes and snapping turtles are the most dangerous predators for ducks like mallard or American Black ducks. But how do they act like a predator?
- Snakes: Snakes, a toxic animal, is a dangerous predator of ducks. Although ducks swallow some snakes, giant snakes may make the reverse story! It’s more appropriate for wood-duck where snakes ruin nests and eat eggs.
However, the common names are –
- Garter snake
- Corn snake
- Milksnake
- Giant Snakes (Anacondas or Python).
- Snapping Turtles: An enigmatic freshwater turtle who acts like a predator! They just navigate on the land and show their aggressiveness on ducks.
This predator of ducks can clamp down its jaws onto the duck’s neck, turning it into easy prey meat. While they’re slow on land, they are pretty fast in water, and it’s when ducks get caught.
Predatory Fish
You heard about ducks eating fish, but doesn’t it seem weird that fish are predators of ducks? It sounds weird, but it’s true! There are so many predatory birds available who can swallow the ducks.
- Northern Pike: A daytime feeder, predatory northern pike eat small animals, including ducks. Predation by northern pikes has been demonstrated to influence nesting duck habitat selection and reproduction. But I saw it, particularly in the ducklings’ case.
- Blue Catfish: Another opportunist eater who tries to eat the ducks or ducklings. Researcher Zach Crum said the blue catfish is relatively more giant than the wood ducks in the stomach.
- Largemouth Bass: The North American voracious hunter threatens the ducks, frogs, and other small fish. They have a hunting strategy to eat their prey within a moment!
But What Eats Duck Eggs And Leaves The Shell?
According to USGS, While experimenting, around 10% of nests with eggs get eaten by predators two days before hatching. And about 15% of nests had ducklings eaten by predators.
Typically, rats, snakes, or small mammals use their sharp teeth to crack the eggshells and consume the necessary nutrients. Different animals have different habits when they find duck eggs.
For example, foxes leave bits of shell, corvids usually leave intact shells, while badgers eat the whole. Sometimes, skunks rely on duck eggs as their food source during the early spring. Although you may know they are upland nest predators.
How Do Ducks Survive From Predators? Dive Or Fly The Most!
They try to fly or swim as fast as they can! They may try to dive deep while encountering any predators.
However, ducks use other survival strategies:
- Grouping: You’ll see a flock of ducks instead of roaming here and there alone. It discourages the predators from aiming the ducks to hunt.
- Alertness: Ducks have sharp senses and are always alert about their surroundings. It’s even in the case of chickens. They just run away from potential threats!
- Camouflage: Ducks look less visible because the plumage blends with the environment.
- Nest In Concealed Site: Ducks don’t make their nest in any open place. They make it in a hidden area to protect the eggs and ducklings.
How To Protect Ducks From Predators? 9 Tips To Prevent Predator Attacks!
In the wild, ducks are always in danger! But they can be safe if you try to keep them safe. I have a video to help you understand how to protect the ducks in the yard.
However, raising such birds creates a space that predators cannot access. Besides, you can follow some ideas such as –
1. Duck Pen For Safety
You can get a duck pen with a strong door and enclosed coop to keep the ducks safe, especially at night. But ensure it has cement or wooden floor.
Or add a roof by using wires and ensure the loose meshing. And remember, some animals are smart enough to use their hand to catch the ducklings.
2. Secure Nesting Or Coop Place
I suggest keeping the ducks in a secluded area. The feathered friend should be kept away from the edges of the yard. And they’ll be safe and secure from the predators.
I prefer to keep the coop near the herbs or flower plants—predators like to avoid the scent and get discouraged.
3. Fencing Is Good
A tall parameter fence of around 6 feet is all you need! But if the CCTV shows a badger near the duck’s coop, ensure it’s 12 inches. Install a fence near the duck’s enclosure and water area. But making it 7 feet or about 50×25′ won’t be wrong.
However, using nets or wire mesh will be perfect!
4. Cleaning Ducks Coop
A daily task for the duck owner! Always keep the coop area clean out of dirt or wastage. Dirty food or water attracts predators like rodents the most. So, keep the environment clean.
5. Devices To Scare Predators
Predators are everywhere, so you can use noise-making devices or utilize scarecrows to scare the predators. I also love the motion sensor lights or alarms. It’ll rapidly repel predators from the yard, whether day or night.
6. Hiding Places In Yard
How about making a space near the coop to hide? If they get any hiding place, predators can’t hunt them. The canopy of trees is a safe zone!
7. Monitor Them Properly
While ducks are foraging, you should not leave them alone. You must observe and monitor where they are and what they do.
Although foraging makes them happier and healthier, predators smoothly wait to hunt the ducks. So, stay behind them.
8. Guard Animals
You can keep guard dogs or cats to protect your ducks in the yard. Although I said they could kill the ducks, pet ducks won’t hurt them. Don’t worry!
Through training sessions, dogs or cats will become a guard for your pet ducks. They may become friends, especially the ducklings and little cats and dogs.
Finding it unsafe in your mind can be resolved if you keep the guard animals far from the duck’s coop.
9. Keep Some Companion
Keeping ducks with a companion is something we always do! But if you missed it, a group of ducks and chickens is always a good idea. Reminder! Don’t let the ducks stay alone, or the predator will surely kill them.
Recommended article:
Final Words
Now, you have a comprehensive list of duck predators. My extensive research found that seven types of predators usually attack ducks or ducklings. From predatory birds in the sky to predatory fish in water, ducks remain a threat.
But you can keep your ducks safe! All you need to do is make a safe coop with plenty of chickens and geese. And they don’t need any extra care as they can run, swim, or dive to survive the attack of predators.
Sources And References:
- https://www.businessinsider.com/animals-that-are-cannibals-2018-12
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230015660_Pike_predation_affects_breeding_success_and_habitat_selection_of_ducks
- https://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/invasive-blue-catfish-eats-wood-duck/
