Drinking: Like other birds, ducks drink water by sipping it from ponds, lakes, rivers, or other water sources. They have a specialized beak that helps them filter water and ingest it efficiently.
Preening: Ducks spend a significant amount of time preening their feathers. During preening, they release oil from their preen gland, which is located near the base of their tail. They then spread this oil over their feathers using their bill. This not only helps in waterproofing their feathers but also allows them to trap and ingest droplets of water from their feathers while preening.
Eating Aquatic Vegetation: Ducks are omnivores and include a variety of aquatic plants in their diet. Many aquatic plants contain a high amount of water content. As ducks eat these plants, they not only obtain essential nutrients but also get hydrated.
Dew and Rainwater: Ducks can obtain water by drinking dew and rainwater from leaves, plants, and other surfaces. Their broad, flat bills help them collect and sip water droplets effectively.
Water Filtration: Some ducks have specialized adaptations that help them filter and obtain water from various sources. For example, the Northern Shoveler duck has a bill with a unique spatula-like shape, which allows them to strain and filter small particles and insects from water while still consuming the liquid.
Nest Sites: Ducks usually nest in areas near water sources like lakes, ponds, or wetlands. This allows easy access to water for both the adult ducks and their ducklings.
Overall, ducks are equipped with various adaptations and behaviors that enable them to obtain water from a variety of sources, whether it's through drinking, preening, eating aquatic vegetation, or utilizing water filtration techniques.