Mallards are not Divers, so they do not descent underwater. It can stay submerged for up to two minutes at a time! Their slick waterproof bodies are the equivalent of Olympic swimmers shaving to avoid friction in the water. The lifespan of a duck depends upon a number of factors, such as what species of duck it is and whether it lives in the wild or is raised on a farm, as well as the number of eggs it lays (more eggs, shorter life). How long can a duck swim in Read More Can Ducks Swim Underwater? But diving ducks typically have higher body densities than other waterfowl. This means they eat both plants and animals. Ducks eat a variety of things, including plants, insects, and small fish. That's because any longer than that and you start running into some . Diver ducks are built to swim underwater. This is a large diving duck with breeding habitats in lowland marshes and lakes in southern Europe and Asia. They are also some of the fastest swimmers, clocking in around 4-6 mph. Can Ducks Swim Underwater?Ducks often seem like blow up animals for your pool. Their smooth, oily feathers help them move on the water, and they have strong, webbed feet that propel them. When a duck dives underwater, it tucks its head down and points its tail up in the air. Their eyes are specially adapted to allow them to see clearly even when submerged. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, if a duck gets too cold, it will eventually succumb to hypothermia and drown. The first reason is to see better underwater. Alex Kountry is the founder of HayFarmGuy and has been a backyard farmer for over 10 years. This allows them to find food more easily underwater. Additionally, ducks have a higher concentration of myoglobin in their muscles, which helps to store oxygen. Domestic ducklings are fed a special diet that contains all of the nutrients they need to remain healthy. Ducks use their speed to escape from predators and catch prey. It has a serrated edge on its bill that helps it slice through the water and grab fish. They use their webbed feet to propel them through the water. But there are also a number of wild duck species, like the Falkland steamer duck, whose wings are so short that they are incapable of flight. Check out our job listings and start working for Team DU. When Divers are done underwater, they simple relax all their muscles and float back to the top. But how do they do it? Next, with a single thrust of their powerful legs and feet, diving ducks arch their bodies upward and dive headlong, quickly disappearing beneath the water's surface. The biggest differences between males and females are that males have brighter plumage with more reds and blues, while females' feathers appear more brownish or grayish. So just how far can ducks swim underwater? How far can a duck swim? Ducks of the UK guide | BBC Wildlife Magazine | Discover Wildlife From whistles and coos to yodels and grunts, ducks have a lot of different things to say. Expert tips, stunning photography, & more: Subscribe to DU Magazine today. For example, Long-tailed ducks and mergansers have been recorded diving to depths of over 40ft. Ring necked ducks are diving ducks from North America commonly found in freshwater ponds and lakes. Instead they remain buoyant and tip their upper bodies under the water surface to look for seeds and vegetation. Ducks swimming underwater - crystal clear water - close up