Summary

The undefined website discusses the joys and potential harms of feeding waterfowl, emphasizing the importance of choosing nutritious foods over common but unhealthy options like bread.

Abstract

The undefined website, through the article "Duck Heaven," reflects on the author's personal experiences with feeding ducks and the broader implications of this activity. The author, B.R. Shenoy, shares their delight in observing and photographing ducks in their local area, which has an abundance of parks with duck ponds. During the pandemic, the author and their daughter began feeding the waterfowl, leading to research on the best foods for their health. The article advises feeding ducks fruits like strawberries and blueberries, vegetables such as cucumbers and peas, and grains including cooked pasta and brown rice, ensuring these are chopped into small pieces to prevent choking. It also warns against common foods like bread and popcorn, citing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which lists reasons why artificial feeding can be harmful to waterfowl, including duckling malnutrition, habitat degradation, overcrowding, pollution, diseases, and attraction of pests. The author concludes by encouraging responsible feeding and invites readers to share their thoughts on the matter.

Opinions

Feeding waterfowl can be a joyful and fulfilling activity for humans, especially during difficult times like the pandemic.
It is important to feed ducks nutritious foods rather than common, less healthy options.
The author acknowledges a common misconception about feeding ducks bread, highlighting the need for education on the topic.
The article suggests that while feeding ducks can be enjoyable, it is best for their well-being to rely on natural food sources.
The author emphasizes the importance of being responsible and informed when interacting with wildlife, to avoid unintentional harm to the environment and the animals themselves.

INSPIRATION/PHOTOGRAPHY/ADVICE

Duck Heaven

Surrounded by my feathered friends, I am in my happy place

“Make others comfortable and you will see that Nature will take care of your comfort.” — Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

We are fortunate to have numerous parks with duck ponds within close proximity to our house.

Many of our neighbors even have ducks in their yards.

The day this picture was taken, an unusually large number of ducks were out.

I could not resist snapping their photos. I could spend hours observing and hanging out with these feathered creatures.

During the pandemic shutdowns, we had extra time on our hands. My daughter and I thought it might be fun to feed the waterfowl at the lakes nearby.

We performed a quick google search before deciding what to feed them.

Here are the best foods for waterfowl.

Fruits: Strawberries, blueberries, and watermelon
Vegetables: Cucumbers, peas, broccoli, and corn
Grains: Cooked pasta, brown rice, and oats

Please make sure you chop fruits and veggies into small pieces so the ducks do not choke on them.

It is always great fun to feed ducks treats. However, the most common foods people provide to ducks and waterfowl, such as bread, crackers, popcorn, and corn, are neither nutritious nor healthy.

I was not aware of the latter for the longest time. We grew up feeding them bread.

I still recall how my mother-in-law — a wildlife enthusiast — relished going to the park to feed bread to the ducks.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, artificial feeding is harmful to waterfowl.

Here is a list of reasons why feeding waterfowl can be detrimental.

Artificial feeding of waterfowl can cause:

Duckling malnutrition
Habitat degradation
Overcrowding
Pollution
Diseases
Attraction of pests

Takeaway

Waterfowl are lovely creatures, and feeding them can be a fun pastime. It is also a terrific way for parents and children to reconnect with nature.

Be that as it may, ducks can live longer by relying on natural food sources rather than being fed by humans, no matter how good our intentions are.

Still, if you absolutely feel the need to feed them, it is best to be responsible for what you feed them.

After all, the last thing we want to do is to harm the environment or the wildlife.

What are your thoughts on feeding ducks? Please share in the comments.

Thank you to the editors at Snapshots — Allan Rae (alto), Dennett, Sherry Kappel, and David Montgomery.

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