Why don’t ducks sink?
Once they’re floating a duck’s webbed
feet helps them swim by pushing them
powerfully through the water. These
special feet also help them walk on
squidgy mud.
Lots of reasons! Firstly they produce a
special oil from a spot on their back called
the preen gland. They use their beak to
spread it all over their feathers (preening)
and this keeps them waterproof. Because
they’re not soaking wet they stay light
enough to float. Can you spot any of
the ducks preening?
Their feathers also trap air, helping to keep
them afloat. If they need to dive underwater
they just press their feathers together to
squeeze out the air.
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