Duck Sleeping Habits

Ducks are a beautiful addition to your farm and are also hunted widely for meat and for sport. Ducks, like all birds, need to sleep. Knowing where they sleep is helpful to wildlife agencies that monitor ducks and to duck hunters hoping to get a jump on their prey. By knowing where they roost, hunters can catch them as they leave. Management agencies monitor their sleeping areas for any signs of poaching or predation problems.

  1. Seclusion

    • Ducks seek seclusion when seeking out their sleeping areas. Whether it's on land or on water, ducks nap where they feel safe and will not be disturbed. Quiet, secluded areas away from their feeding sites are ideal.

    Land Roost

    • When ducks sleep on land, they commonly lie down and tuck their bills -- and sometimes their heads -- under their feathers. They may also stand on one leg, while tucking and napping. One duck will often stay awake as a sentry. Ducks can even sleep with one eye open.

    Water Roost

    • Ducks often sleep while floating on the water in a pond or quiet area of a river or stream. They often will sleep in a line, with the end ducks keeping guard. When sleeping on water they will fluff their feathers, turn their heads and stick their bills under their wing feathers.

    Sleep Needs

    • Ducks are prey animals, and have evolved to need very little sleep. Only 3 hours a day is needed, and that does not have to be all at once. In addition, ducks sleep with half of their brain functional, so they can quite literally sleep with one eye open.