Ducks are omnivorous birds with a diverse diet that includes both plants and animals. In the wild, they primarily eat aquatic vegetation such as grasses, pondweed, and other water plants, along with seeds, grains, and nuts which are rich in essential fatty acids
. They also consume a variety of small animals including insects, aquatic invertebrates like snails and crustaceans, small fish, frogs, and amphibians
. Different species of ducks have varying diets depending on their habitat and season. For example, dabbling ducks feed in shallow water on vegetation and insects, while diving ducks dive underwater to catch fish, mollusks, and aquatic insects
. Some ducks, like mergansers, specialize in eating fish, while others may eat roots, tubers, and agricultural crops such as rice, wheat, corn, and barley, especially in winter
. When feeding ducks, it is best to avoid bread, as it is low in nutrition and can cause malnutrition and health problems. Instead, suitable foods include seeds, nuts, sweetcorn, lettuce, peas, oats, and rice, which provide better nutrition without harming the ducks
. Ducks also enjoy fruits like apples and pears, but these should be cut into small pieces since ducks cannot chew
. In summary, ducks eat a wide range of natural foods including aquatic plants, seeds, insects, small fish, and amphibians, and when feeding them, nutritious options like seeds, vegetables, and grains are preferable to bread
