Why Do Ducks Wag Their Tails? Excitement And Happiness Behind!
You may have seen ducks wagging their tail. That’s pretty cute, but there is something else to be concerned about!
So, why do ducks wag their tails? They commonly do that when they’re excited and happy. Besides, they wag their tails for communicating, mating, calming, balancing, defending, etc. So, it can be any reason behind wagging the tails. And you may see the domestic ducks doing the most.
Now, let’s see if such behavior is identical to dog-wagging behavior. Spend some additional time to have a clear understanding.
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Why Do Ducks Wag Their Tails? 11 Reasons Behind Ducks Wagging!
Tail-wagging is an expected behavior by ducks and other birds that have tails. According to Digital Common Research, Male ducks exhibited tail-wagging behavior at 11.0%, whereas female ducks are observed at around 3.1%.
Such a multifaceted role by ducks is to show what they mean. But I’m gonna talk about the reasons behind wagging the tails. I found eight reasons to note!
1. Excitement And Happiness
It must be the first reason that makes your ducks wag their tail. Excitement and happiness! When ducks feel good, they wag their tail feathers.
But how can you tell ducks are happy? Here are the possible body language and behaviors you’ll notice.
- Flapping the wings
- Hopping around energetically.
- Head up and down in a bobbing motion.
- They may quack with a high-pitched tone to show excitement. It sounds like Quack! Quack!
2. Communication
When ducks wag their tail, it can be an indication of communication. They usually communicate with their owner. When you adore them, they wag their tails. Here is a video you’ll love!
Possibly, they try to send a message to another duck. Also, ducks may show their expression of affection or fear by using some body language.
3. Keeping Body Warm
The duck’s body should be in a warm condition. Possibly, ducks or geese wag their tails to keep the body warm.
4. For Relaxation And Calmness
Encountering predators makes them suffer enormous stress or depression while defending from predators or saving nest sites. So, whether in the backyard or the wild, ducks try to calm themselves from such anxious moments.
At that moment, you’ll see them shaking their tail. We call it a self-soothing mechanism! They become relaxed as wagging tails keep the nervous system regular.
5. Shaking Waters To Becoming Dry
Semi-aquatic waterfowls spend almost half of their time in ponds or rivers. So, they remain wet and require dryness. And ducks are going to shake their tails or shuffle their feathers to become dry out of water.
6. Sickness
When ducks feel bad or become sick, they may wag their tail. Mainly, I see them in wet feather condition.
Your ducks experience a condition where the preen gland doesn’t produce sufficient oil to cover the feathers. Also, the warm weather is another reason to blame!
So, call the vet immediately for proper treatment.
7. Mating Ritual
Wagging the tail is a way to attract the opposite gender ducks. In particular, the domesticated or wild male ducks do it for mating. We call it courtship behavior or mating ritual!
While attracting for mating, ducks engage in different behaviors such as wing flapping, preening, or head pumping. More specifically, Female ducks respond to the male’s move by wagging their tails.
8. Protection Against Predators
Mainly in the wild, ducks encounter predators. So, if you see them wagging their tail, it must be because of their anxiety, or maybe they are trying to protect themselves or chasing the predators. ResearchGate says tail movement in birds is basically for communicating with conspecifics, prey, or predators.
Related Reading: Protect Your Backyard Ducks From Predators
9. Balancing While Walking
Ducks are chubby with short legs, so they sometimes lose their balance. Therefore, they waddle or wiggle their tail to keep their balance and move comfortably. But it’s not related to the Torrent Ducks (Merganetta).
Waving tails helps to stop lurching from side to side motion. But not all ducks do the same waddling. Like Indian Runners! They have an upright stance, extended neck, and move like running motion.
10. Ducks Wing Movement
It can also be all about wing movement when ducks wag their tails. Take it as a standard part of their body language.
11. Grooming Purpose
Sometimes, pet duck use their tail to wag to waterproof the feathers by applying natural oil. So, enjoy watching them engage in such behavior.
Tail Wagging: Do All Ducks Do The Same?
Yes, the majority of ducks wag their tails. But their purpose must be different. If it’s the wild one, they do it to clean off water from the body. But for domesticated ducks, it’s a way to express excitement in general.
For example, mallards, wood ducks, or pintails do it to show courtship and communication.
What About Ducklings? Do They Wag Their Tails As Well?
Not like the adult one, but they do. Tail wagging is basically a notable behavior in mature ducks.
Ducklings, in their early, have control over their body, and they are actually learners. So they don’t need to wag their tail. But as they grow, they begin to show tail-wagging behavior.
Recommended Readings:
So, Why Do Ducks Wag Their Tails?
In short, ducks’ excitement and communication are the main reasons behind wagging their tails. Waterfowl will wag their tails in the wild or the yard to indicate something good or bad.
It’s basically an emotion and intention that ducks wanna show. In general, it’s something to survive or to make social bonding. So, it’s your responsibility to identify what they actually mean.
Sources And References:
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287209389_Tail_movements_in_birds_-_current_evidence_and_new_concepts
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/4533120
