Wintering - Annual Life Cycle

Moving South for the Winter

Everyone knows that ducks fly south in the winter, but what do they do and where do they do it? Ducks spend much of their time in the southern portions of the United States and along the coastal fringes where weather conditions are mild. They leave northern nesting areas and head for a warmer climate for several reasons, least of which is because the weather is cold.

During much of the winter ducks loaf about eating and storing up nutrients in preparation for the long trip back to the breeding grounds.

Waterfowl can withstand very cold temperatures, but when their food source is eliminated they must leave northern areas in search of mild temperatures. When shallow ponds or lakes freeze over with ice ducks can no longer reach aquatic plants and insects for meals. Ducks that feed on seeds or waste grain must also leave the area when snow falls cover their foods.

Ducks winter in mild areas where food is plentiful and the water rarely freezes like the Mississippi Alluvial Valley in the southern area of the United States. Another great wintering place for ducks is coastal northern California and along the central valley of California.