What’s New On Our Duck Blog

Are Ducks Nocturnal? Greer Smith April 4, 2024 When exactly do ducks decide to move and migrate? It's a complex question that seems to have as many answers as there are experts willing to share their insights. But here's what we do know for sure, especially regarding two particular Blue-winged Teal, Fat Daddy and MJ, both tagged in Toluca, Mexico, in April of 2023. Their movements, which we've been tracking and sharing with you from our historical waterfowl tracker , have...

How Far Can Ducks Travel in a Day Greer Smith March 13, 2024 Today we explore an incredible 26-hour segment from the migration of a Northern Shoveler banded by Tierra De Aves, named "Scoop" by a group of inspired middle school students. This exceptional journey, which began just west of Mexico City at 1:54 AM local time on March 25th, highlights the vast energy expenditures of migrating waterfowl. Scoop covered an astonishing distance of 1, 434 miles...

Wood Duck Nesting Behaviors Greer Smith March 11, 2024 Ducks Don’t Put All Their Eggs in One Basket!  The saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" takes on a literal meaning in the world of wood ducks. When we speak of "dump boxes," we're referring to intraspecific brood parasitism, a phenomenon where nests often contain eggs from multiple hens. But what drives this behavior?The lack of available nesting sites might seem like an obvious reason,...

How To Implement Duck Tagging for Future Study  Greer Smith February 8, 2024 Duck tagging is a cornerstone of avian research, enabling precise tracking through collections of critical data on waterfowl movements, habits, and population trends. This practice provides indispensable insights for wildlife biologists who are piecing together the complex ecological puzzle of habitat preferences, breeding success, and survival rates. By revealing the methodology of how to tag a duck, we contribute to the vital conservation efforts that...

How the Conservation Reserve Program Helps Ducks Greer Smith January 22, 2024 For bird enthusiasts throughout North America, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) represents a long-standing initiative administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).Since 1985, this voluntary program has encouraged farmers and agricultural landowners to convert environmentally sensitive or highly erodible lands into long-term vegetative cover. As habitat loss and fluctuating weather patterns become more severe, particularly in the Midwest prairies, waterfowl habitat continues to decline....

10 Interesting Facts About Ducks Jordan January 22, 2024 Ducks, often associated with quacks and playful antics, hold a deeper allure beyond their audible charm. In the realm of nature, these feathered beings are remarkably diverse. There are over 100 distinct species that each exhibit unique duck behaviors. From dabbling ducks dipping their bottoms into the water while feeding to perching ducks nesting in lofty branches, their ecological significance is profound. Our wetlands and natural habitats benefit from...

Migration Movie: An Animated Duck Film for the Entire Family Greer Smith January 8, 2024 Migration, the latest cinematic creation from Illumination, takes audiences on an unforgettable journey with a Mallard family. This animated duck film offers a captivating twist on migration, allowing parents, kids, and waterfowl enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a heartwarming adventure. From the stunning backdrop of New England to the tropical island of Jamaica, this migration movie showcases the challenges and triumphs of...

Duck Conservation: Habitat Loss Effects and Pollution Impact Greer Smith December 16, 2023 Waterfowl transcend being mere inhabitants of ecosystems; they are the essence of the delicate harmony within these environments. Their habitats, teeming with sustenance, shelter, and breeding grounds, serve as the lifeblood of their existence.In this blog, we discuss the significance of waterfowl, their pivotal role in upholding biodiversity, and the profound challenges arising from human-induced habitat loss effects and pollution.With an unwavering passion for...

Understanding the Incredible Migration of Waterfowl Greer Smith December 12, 2023 Bird migrations are an extraordinary phenomenon driven by internal clocks and hormonal responses that guide the intricate journey of ducks and geese. These avian voyagers travel vast distances to find vital resources for survival and reproduction. In this post, we examine the migration of waterfowl to shed light on their critical role within ecosystems, particularly wetlands. As these birds navigate waterfowl migration routes, they transport various...

The History of Ducks: Ancient Times to Modern Day Greer Smith December 8, 2023 Have you ever wondered where waterfowl come from or how long they’ve inhabited our planet? In this post, we reveal the history of ducks and their evolution. As we all continue to be intrigued with behavioral actions such as ‘preening’ for self-cleaning, ducklings that take flight in 5-8 weeks, and their funny-looking webbed feet, we cannot help but wonder about their remarkable origins....

Top 10 Ways to Help with Duck Conservation Greer Smith November 27, 2023 Duck conservation is of utmost importance, as these waterfowl play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and hold substantial value for humans. With over 130 species worldwide, ducks have captured the attention of every passionate birder.  However, it is disheartening to learn that nearly a quarter of duck species are now vulnerable, threatened, or endangered due to various challenges.  From habitat...

Top 5 Benefits of Ducks: How Preservation Empowers Local Communities Greer Smith November 27, 2023 Ducks, our unassuming aquatic companions, harbor astonishing mysteries that set them apart from other avian species. Whether it's their graceful glide across tranquil waters or their remarkable ability to remain vigilant while asleep, ducks continually captivate with their hidden wonders. They possess abstract reasoning skills that parallel supposedly “smarter” species, such as dolphins, apes, and crows. But that’s just a glimpse into...

International Bird Observatory Conference 2023 IBOC 2023 Greer Smith November 13, 2023 The International Bird Observatory Conference (IBOC) in Veracruz, Mexico, was recently hosted by a team of avian conservation stalwarts: Manuel Grosselet and his wife Georgita Ruiz, along with Alan Monroy-Ojeda from Tierra De Aves, and Miguel Matta from Environment for the Americas. Building upon the foundation laid by the previous three IBOCs, this event continued the vital work of promoting avian conservation across the globe. "IBOC...

The Importance of Bottomland Hardwood Forests for Waterfowl Conservation Greer Smith October 4, 2023 One of the lesser well known habitats essential to waterfowl habitat and sustainability are bottomland hardwood forests and their indispensable role in waterfowl conservation. These unique ecosystems, known as deciduous forested wetlands, thrive along river bottoms and experience seasonal flooding. You can find them in Arkansas and along the Mississippi River.With limited direct sunlight reaching the forest floor during summer, these forests are...

Why 50 Ducks? A Pirogue Ride Greer Smith August 21, 2023 Greer Smith (Right) and Brother Sam Since its inception, many people have asked me why I started 50 Ducks. While I do  not have the expertise of the head biologist at Ducks Unlimited nor the resume of a globetrotting waterfowl chaser like Ramsey Russell (not yet anyway), I have an unshakeable passion for ducks and geese formed from a lifetime of memories in a duck blind...

Wet Feet and Mexican Ducks Greer Smith July 25, 2023 With the imminent launch of 50 Ducks and the forthcoming banding of our first flock of ducks, we can feel the excitement in the air. The time ahead is filled with necessary preparations as we're persistently troubleshooting our website and fine-tuning our platform to ensure a flawless user experience. Amid this flurry of activity, we're also co-authoring an academic paper with our esteemed partner and friend, Manuel....

Tracking the Movement of Two Blue-Winged Teal in April of 2023: A Detailed Analysis Greer Smith May 1, 2023 In our inaugural month of waterfowl tracking, we closely monitored the movements of two GPS-tagged Blue-winged Teal. Both waterfowl’s movements are illustrated in the attached images. At first glance, it might seem that Duck 1 traveled a considerably longer distance than Duck 2. However, after delving deeper into the data, we arrived at the following conclusions. Duck 1,...

Educating the Next Generation of Conservationists Greer Smith April 24, 2023 The State of The Birds in 2022 reports the U.S. and Canada have lost ¼ of bird species since 1970. In that same period, the percentages of dabbling and diving ducks are up 34%. Why? People invest time, money, and resources in what they know and care about. To continue increasing waterfowl numbers and stop overall declining avian population trends, an increased appreciation and respect for...

Our First Ducks Greer Smith April 6, 2023 It has been 441 days since the idea of 50 Ducks first entered my mind. In that time, I have reached out to government agencies in 3 countries, multiple state wildlife agencies, dozens of researchers, schools across the United States, and hundreds of individuals trying to obtain the first GPS banded duck.  On April 5th, 2023, at 9:30 am near Toluca, Mexico, Manuel Grosselet helped make our dream a...

The 50 Ducks Story Greer Smith March 17, 2023 Every year my dad and I go to Venice Louisiana on a hunting trip. As with all waterfowl trips south of the Dakotas, some years are, good some years are bad. Why Is that? As our boat was stuck on a mud flat in the Louisiana marsh  I had plenty of time to reflect on my lack of understanding of waterfowl movement. I went home with a desire...