Are Ducks Intelligent? Can You Train Them?
Bird intelligence comes in many forms. And scientists have found some even exhibit intelligence similar to that of apes and even humans. So, what’s the case for ducks? Are ducks intelligent?
Ducks are intelligent animals. These birds have profound cognitive, social, and even abstract intelligence. Researchers have even found that ducks can show a remarkable degree of intelligence as soon as they hatch.
So, does that mean ducks have a good memory? Also, is it possible to teach them any tricks? Well, you will be able to get to the bottom of the topic by giving this discussion a read.
Want to learn more about duck behaviors:
What Types of Intelligence Do Ducks Have?
As discussed earlier, ducks can show three different types of intelligence. Before getting into other relevant info, let’s explain them to give you a better idea of the main topic.
Ducks and Social Intelligence
At the core, social intelligence is basically the ability to understand and communicate with other members of the same species. It also includes forming social bonds and working together as a unit.
Well, ducks can do all of the above. Of course, humans do not understand how these birds communicate and understand each other. But they mainly utilize a complex system of body language and vocalizations to convey information to each other.
To be exact, Middlesex University London found that ducks even have regional accents. The researchers have found that the urban area ducks tend to use more of a “shouting quack” for the loud noises around them.
That hints that these birds can adjust their calls according to the environment. Additionally, ducks also can form mating partnerships for years. This ability indicates that they can form strong bonds with each other.
Finally, ducks can develop curious and playful personalities. They can even be very social and affectionate with humans.
Cognitive Intelligence Among Ducks
To fill you in, cognitive intelligence can be defined as the capacity to respond to the surroundings. It also includes the ability to solve problems. And ducks have a lot of it, resulting from continuous evolution.
These birds have even evolved to obtain defense mechanisms that enable them to thrive in harsh environments. And this portrays a keen awareness of the surroundings and the ability to respond effectively to threats.
For instance, ducks travel in a straight line when they fly. This flying technique allows them to scan the area and be aware of any potential predators.
But can ducks solve complex problems? Yes, ducks are capable of solving intricate problems. For example, they adapt well to harsh environments and make the right decisions to protect themselves from dangers.
Abstract Intelligence in Ducks
At the core, abstract intelligence is the ability to understand abstract concepts. For example, the ability to differentiate between shapes. And the significant part is that ducks have this ability right from birth.
In 2016, researchers from the University of Oxford found that baby Mallard ducks could recognize patterns and shapes after an hour of hatching. Interestingly, they required no training to differentiate the abstract elements.
Baby Mallards became the first evidence showcasing that certain animal species carry innate abstract relational intelligence. That too, without any training, reward, or reinforcements.
How Does the Intelligence of Ducks Compare to Other Animals
If you were to compare the intelligence of ducks, it would be a fair comparison when you put other species of birds against them. After all, you can not expect ducks to showcase the same level of intelligence as octopuses or dolphins.
That said, here’s a rundown of the intelligence compared with the other birds –
Chicken vs. Ducks
In comparison, ducks are more intelligent and charismatic than chickens. You can get proof of that by seeing them around flower beds and gardens. While chickens will scratch and bury themselves in many holes, ducks do not.
Instead, ducks tend to be careful in such environments and try their best to not damage the plants. Moreover, it’s easy to restrain a duck inside an enclosure. On the other hand, chickens tend to be notorious and will do whatever it takes to escape.
Both of those examples showcase how well ducks can adapt to their environment.
Pigeons vs Ducks
It’s a bit difficult to compare the intelligence of pigeons and ducks. Both birds have great memory, higher social capacities, and excellent adaptability skills. So, in that sense, you can say that these two species of birds are equally intelligent.
Ravens vs. Ducks
One interesting fact about ravens is that they are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds. Research shows that corvids (magpies, crows, ravens, etc.) have well-developed visual and auditory senses.
In fact, corvids have the largest brains compared to the head sizes. So, considering that you can say that ravens are more intelligent than ducks.
Jays vs Ducks
As jays reside among the corvids, it goes without saying that their intelligence is a step above the ducks. To give you an example, jays have the ability to anticipate what sort of food they will eat for breakfast the next day.
Jays can even plan out the quantity of food and where they will acquire it. Ducks are not known to have this ability.
Do Ducks Have a Good Memory?
The ducks have a good memory. They even bear the ability to remember things for a long time. But don’t express ducks to showcase their capacities to remember things like mammals.
That said, one good example can be seen in ducks that migrate. They take the same route and always travel in the same pattern. These birds simply remember the way and use their memory to get from one location to another.
Yes, other birds also have the ability to remember location, such as homing pigeons. But the memory of ducks goes a step further. Domesticated birds have the ability to remember their names and can respond to them when called.
What Types of Tasks Are Ducks Capable of Learning?
So, it’s pretty clear that ducks are very smart. But can ducks learn tricks? Well, yes, it is possible to teach them tricks. In fact, you can train them to do some simple tasks. Let’s give you some examples to broaden your understanding –
Operant Tasks
Ducks have the ability to learn operant tasks. Scientists have already studied this behavior by offering ducklings rewards for completing something they were trained for. To illustrate, they can push doors and get through obstacles with proper training.
Foraging Foods
At the very early stage, ducklings observe their mothers and learn how to forage food. Through observations, they quickly become adept at sourcing their own food and learning how to survive in the wild.
Returning Back to Their Homes at Night
Pet ducks can be trained to return to their homes at night. You can even train them and teach them how to find their way back home when they are far from their houses.
Playful Tricks
Ducks can learn tricks when trained or offered a reward for performing the tricks. For example, you can train them to respond to their names. Moreover, it is possible to teach them how to play with toys.
What Type of Environment Is Best Suited for Ducks to Express Their Intelligence?
Do you want to make sure that your pet ducks have all it takes to showcase their intelligence? Well, you should consider these environmental factors –
Shelter
For proper growth, ducks require a predator-proof, waterproof, and well-ventilated shelter. And the good part is that you don’t need to do much to obtain a home like that. A good-sized dog house will be pretty sufficient for four ducks.
Comfortable Pen
It’s not just the exterior of the home that matters. You should also consider the interior of their homes. Make sure that the ducks are comfortable and cozy inside. Providing a thick layer of straw or grass can help in this regard.
Proper Diet
Needless to say, you should offer an unmedicated feed to your ducks. There should be special rations for the young ducklings, which need to provide the right amount of nutrients. If their growth is hampered, they will not showcase their intelligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. Can ducks recognize human faces?
Ducks can recognize human faces. To be exact, they even have the ability to recognize human voices. After all, they have a good memory.
02. Do ducks have emotions?
Like humans, ducks can experience emotions. In fact, studies have shown that they can feel a range of emotions. However, do not expect them to cry tears as their form of expressing sadness if often through quacking or making a loud, weird noise.
03. Can ducks learn from each other?
Ducks have the ability to learn from each other. They are smart enough to learn beyond nature through routine, repetition, and resonance. They can also be trained to free range and return to their pens independently.
Final Words
So, are ducks intelligent? The short answer would be yes. Ducks are very intelligent and can even learn tricks and do particular tasks once they receive enough training. They also have a good memory and can remember human faces.
That’s pretty much it regarding the topic. Hopefully, you got to learn about everything you were curious about. And if you found this post helpful, please consider supporting us by connecting with our Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts.
Article References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159118304386
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/ducklings-make-way-abstract-thought-oxford-study-finds
- https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.aag3088
- https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/ducks-geese/hidden-lives-ducks-geese
Image Credit:
- Canva.com/photos
