Don’t give ducks their daily bread
Dependency on humans can cause aggression, leading to overpopulation in certain areas and an imbalance in local ecosystems.
Taking your kids down to the pond to feed ducks bread has been a pastime for decades, but it may need reevaluation.
According to the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), bread offers little nutritional value to ducks and could even be harmful.
Ducks will happily accept the bread, as they have being doing for years, but the onus should be on the feeder to be informed about the risks.
“It’s akin to junk food for them, filling but not healthy. Ducks need a varied diet rich in nutrients to thrive and bread doesn’t provide that,” said CROW.
“Regular consumption leads to malnutrition and, in young ducks, it can cause a condition known as angel wing which may prevent them from flying and escaping predators.”
Expecting food from humans can also make ducks lazy and lessen their natural foraging skills.
Dependency on humans can cause aggression, leading to overpopulation in certain areas and an imbalance in local ecosystems.
And the uneaten bread creates problems too.
“As it breaks down, it can cause algal blooms that sap oxygen from the water, harming fish and other aquatic creatures,” said CROW.
If duck feeding is allowed in your area, consider alternatives such halved seedless grapes, birdseed, corn or chopped lettuce which are closer to their natural diet.
You can also help by encouraging other people at the pond to change their habits.
Visit CROW on Facebook or at crowkzn.co.za for more information.
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