What Do Ducks Eat In The Winter? 10 Foods That They Prefer!

North American ducks have behavioral changes based on the area’s environment, especially in winter. They look for warmer places and require abundant food sources. But what do they actually eat, and what should we feed them?

What do ducks eat in the winter? Preferably, ducks look for any nutrition that brings strength. If you feed, give them layer pellets, grains, fruits, veggies, small insects, and fish. In the wild, they forage for small creatures like invertebrates or amphibians, along with the food sources you should feed. Such diets provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and more.

So, you must ensure they have regular diets as domesticated ducks. Before that, let me give you a clear idea about their migration. It’s interconnected!

What Do Ducks Eat In The Winter?

Ducks usually eat almost the same as they do other times, but extra care is what they need during winter. Except for feeding pellets, grains, fruits, veggies, and insects, they’ll need some extra protein, vitamins and minerals. It’s because of their migratory period. Let’s talk about this in detail.

Migration And Winter Has Interconnection!

Avians or ducks usually undergo different phases of life. Especially in winter, they migrate to warmer regions from the chilly environment. 

I discovered wood ducks, Northern pintails, Northern Shovelers, Ruddy Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, and Gadwalls the most who migrate in fall. Because they cannot tolerate less than 20 degrees since they face frostbite on the feet that leads to amputation.

According to ResearchGate, frostbite is a regular issue in birds like ducks during cold weather. The primary freezing injury and subsequent vascular impairment are both a part of the pathophysiology. At that time, you’ll see them migrating.

While flying for a long, they become so tired that their body demands food sources and water near them. I’ll clear it up in the next section!

10 Foods That Ducks Eat In Winter

Trust me, the waterfowl have a tough time surviving during winter. Either they lack the food or have an environment that is intolerable. Then what do they actually eat?

Well, ducks like puddles or dabbler ducks prefer vegetation or small freshwater larvae. In case you feed, grass shoots, corn, fruits, and veggies go well. And if it’s about divers ducks, they catch vegetation, clams, mussels, fish, and larvae the most.

However, it’s a generic point! My research found 8 foods that ducks eat, and you can feed them during winter. I found a video on YouTube based on ducks’ winter diet. Take a look!

1. Layer Pellet

When winter arrives, feeding ducks pellets daily is a good idea to ensure a balanced diet. In fact, it’s a suggestion during any weather.

You can also offer grit to them. But be sure it’s chicken grit for the adult one and the chick grit for ducklings. But give it right after the first 3 weeks and ensure ducks get vitamin B3 or niacin the most.

2. Open Water Sources

Ducks navigate frozen or icy water bodies during winter. So, ducks need some water sources as they get tired after migration. Plus, they need to digest the food properly. Also, they have a lot of diets waiting in the water. But what do ducks eat in water?

Look, you’re always around the ducks. So make an environment and keep some warm water near the coop.

3. Aquatic Plant

You know ducks are professional swimmers who dive for plants. But in winter, they cannot find any aquatic plants. But after migrating, ducks search for such plants as they’re their primary food sources. Usually, ducks eat aquatic plants:

I personally noticed the wigeons and gadwalls prefer leafy aquatic vegetation like:

• Pondweeds
• Grasses
• Sedges
• Rusher.

Here, mallards, teals, or pintails prefer wetland plant seeds, and pochards or scaups eat roots or tubers. But while talking about any sort of ducks in winter, you’ll see them eating:

• Duckweed
• Smartweed
• American Pondweed
• Water hyacinth
• Water celery
• Water lettuce
• Sedges.

4. Invertebrates

Ducks become fond of invertebrates, and insects come first on their priority list. Such animals are available in the wild, so while foraging, they get some for their nutritional need. Whether it’s diving or dabbling ducks, they prefer insects like:

• Midges
• Caddis fly
• Horseflies
• Beetles
• Bugs
• Fly larvae.

Besides, they look for invertebrate species such as:

• Worms (Mostly ducklings)
• Aquatic mollusks (Snails)
• Crustaceans (Amphipods, copepods, crabs, shrimps)
• Aquatic Arachnids (Water spiders).

5. Amphibians And Reptiles

For having wild nature and omnivore activities, ducks also look for amphibians or reptiles. After migrating, they need a lot of protein and niacin intake. Besides, they need other nutrients to get a boost.

It’s mandatory when they need rest after migration. Now the point is, what’s they gonna eat? They may consume:

• Frogs
• Tadpoles
• Salamanders
• Snakes.

But they actually eat opportunistically or when they forage for food sources. You’ll rarely see the story that ducks are eating amphibians because their preference is insects, plants, or grains when you feed them.

6. Grains

Feeding ducks in winter seems a little chaotic because they need extra care. But it’s okay! Grains can play a good role in giving some nutrition. And you can give it to them!

It can be a part of ducks’ supplementary treat. For having high nutrients, I suggest to feed:

• Rice
• Oats
• Corn
• Quinoa
• Wheat
• Barley
• Millet
• Sorghum.

But give some other diets besides the grains. As you know, they have distinctive dietary habits.

7. Seeds

Although ducks usually have trouble consuming seeds, some seeds are safe and soft to digest for ducks. So, I am talking about seeds such as:

• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Millet seeds
• Cracked corn
• Wheat seeds
• Soft Veggies seeds like cucumber
• Soft fruit seeds like strawberry or Pomegranate.

Or you have plenty of nut options for ducks. During winter, they’ll have a high amount of fatty acids from it. And I suggest:

• Almond
• Peanut
• Walnut
• Pecans.

But give it as an occasional treat. They can’t be comfortable as they carry the risk of suffocation. Plus, ensure all of it is unsalted and unsweetened.

8. Small Fish

Fish are ducks’ favorite protein source. In winter, ducks, especially goldeneyes, scoters, and mergansers, also known as fish ducks or sawbills, are the most known fish eaters. They look for fish such as:

• Minnows
• Goldfish
• Guppies
• Salmon
• Trout
• Sticklebacks
• Eels.

9. Leafy Greens

If ducks are near the garden during winter, let them eat some greens or green veggies. It brings vitamins, minerals, and water intake the most. 

And when feeding it, wash and chop the greens. My preference is to offer:

• Chard 
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Swiss chard
• Collard greens
• Dandelion Greens
• Watercress.

But all of them are an occasional treat. Not a primary and necessary part of their daily need.

10. Soft Fruits

Ducks and geese love fruits, so in winter, they’ll look for fruits. Whether in the wild or in the yard, ducks need fruits to have some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that neutralize cells’ free radicals.

Notably, the sugar intake gives some extra energy, and ducks have it when they complete their migration period. But what do they usually consume? Give them sliced tasty fruits such as:

• Apples
• Berries
• Cherries
• Melons
• Bananas
• Grapes
• Pears.

Recommended Readings:

• Do Ducks Eat Apples
• Can I Feed Berries
• Cherries For Ducks
• Can Ducks Eat Melons

But don’t feed citrus fruits like:

• Lemons
• Oranges
• Grapefruits.

Because such fruits have acids!

Chopped Vegetables

I think waterfowl feels so unsafe during the winter time. They don’t find any required food sources, so I find vegetables are good for a boost. I prefer:

• Cucumbers
• Zucchinis
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Peas
• Green beans
• Sweet potatoes
• Bell peppers.

In the wild, they look for such veggies. But when talking about backyard ducks, feed any of the vegetables for your ducks.

Recommended Articles:

• Can Ducks Eat Carrots
• Do Ducks Eat Cabbage
• Cucumber As A Part Of Ducks Diet

Domestic Ducks In Winter: What They Eat?

There is nothing new here! I was actually talking about them. Domestic ducks love to have plants, insects, and commercial feed. But you need to be a great observer of their reactions during winter.

What Domestic Ducks Should Feed In Winter?

What they eat and what they should have a huge difference. One is their requirements, and another is their habit of eating.

Ducks are usually birds of prey. So, they hunt and consume when in the wild. But in the case of domestic ones, they should eat:

• Duck feed
• Water
• Grains
• Insects
• Thawed veggies
• Leafy greens
• Fresh fruits.

What About Wild Ducks? Do They Eat The Same?

Yes, wild ducks don’t have any separate diet habits. They eat almost anything and everything. Although domestic ones act the same sometimes, the wild ones will be in the food they find nearby. No avoidance! Only eat is real! The voracious wild duck!

Baby Duck Quacking: What Ducklings Eat In Winter?

No difference in ducklings’ diet. Just think about ensuring their safe environment and feeding them the same food I suggested. 

Giving boiled or scrambled eggs is a good idea for the baby ducks. Or pick the other high-protein food for them.

But when in the wild, let them forage with their mother duck! And ensure they are in warm condition.

Why Ducks Need Additional Food During Winter? For Strength!

While migrating, ducks restlessly fly and look for proper shelter and food. The way temperature drops, plants or invertebrates become inaccessible as everything gets frozen.

But avians require energy reservation to tolerate the cold weather for survival. The condition becomes challenging, so they need plenty of nutrition to boost their health.

When they lack nutrition,  they encounter health difficulties such as:

• Malnutrition
• Poor immunity system
• Risks of death.

So, when it comes to feeding them, you must bring them the food that fulfills their need. Here is what you need to do:

• Keeping Them Warm: Bring them nutritious diets that provide calories and maintain their body temperature.
• Supporting Migration: According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, ducks migrate by flying. They actually need to survive and reproduce. As I said, winter is usually their migration time. So, having some nutritious food sources is what they look for! If you can help, make an environment for the migratory birds to feed.
• Immunity Booster: During the winter time, ducks can become weak and need an immunity boost as they cannot tolerate the weather. It’s noticeable when it’s your domestic backyard pal. So, bring them diets that keep them energetic and improve their immunity.

Recommended Reading: Healthy Treats For Ducks

Summary Of The Article: What Do Ducks Eat In The Winter?

In winter, ducks need a warm place first, and then they look for their primary sources of food. Such as aquatic plants, insects, small animals, fish greens, veggies, fruits, grains, and seeds. They actually need additional nutrition during that time. It’s essential when they migrate.

My food diet lists are almost the same for the wild or even domestic ones. No issues! While feeding, give everything in moderation.

Sources And References:

• https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/whywaterfowlmigrate_du.pdf
• https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Hunting/Documents/puddle_ducks.pdf