Ducks can hold their breath for anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds, and in some cases, even up to a minute or more. Ducks are air-breathing waterbirds that rely on food underwater. Some ducks dive a few meters underwater for food, while some ducks simply dip their heads underwater to retrieve food.
Ducks fall into two types based on their feeding habits: diving ducks and dabbling ducks. Divers dive underwater for fish, mollusks, and aquatic plants. Dabbling ducks eat seeds, insects, and worms by dipping only their heads underwater.
These two ducks can hold their breath underwater for a few seconds. However, diving ducks can hold their breath for minutes to catch prey. In an experiment, ducks managed to hold their breath for 22 minutes underwater.
How Do Ducks Dive?
Ducks get ready by squeezing their bodies and pushing themselves down to the water’s bottom. They use their wings and feet for movement. During the dive, they also carry a lot of air.
Ducks can dive to depths ranging from 10 to 65 feet, depending on the species. Some can only stay submerged for a few feet. Remarkably, long-tailed ducks can reach depths of up to 200 feet!
Additionally, ducks, after a successful dive, rest on the surface of the water. They stop swimming and let the current lift them like corks from under the ocean. While on the surface, they enjoy their catch and dive again when they’re ready or needed.
