The ringneck duck (Aythya collaris) is a common diving duck in North America, often seen on freshwater ponds and lakes. While its name suggests a prominent neck ring, this feature is usually difficult to observe; instead, the male is easily identified by the white rings on its bill. They are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter from their aquatic habitats.
Natural Diet
Ringneck ducks primarily consume aquatic plants and invertebrates. Their diet includes seeds, stems, roots, and tubers from submerged vegetation like pondweeds, wild celery, water lilies, and sedges. They also consume emergent plants like wild rice and coontail.
They also feed on aquatic invertebrates, including mollusks like snails and clams, aquatic insects such as caddisflies, dragonflies, midges, and their larvae, as well as crustaceans and leeches. While plant matter forms a significant portion of their diet, invertebrates provide essential protein, particularly for females during breeding season and for growing ducklings.
Foraging Behavior and Seasonal Shifts
Ringneck ducks forage by diving underwater, often in water a few feet deep, and can dive up to 10 meters. Unlike dabbling ducks that feed on the surface, ringnecks propel themselves with their feet to reach submerged food. They may also sift through mud and vegetation at the bottom to locate seeds, tubers, or invertebrates. Occasionally, they forage at the surface or up-end in shallow areas.
The diet of ringneck ducks shifts seasonally to meet changing nutritional needs. During fall and winter, plant matter, particularly seeds and tubers, becomes a more important food source. In spring and summer, adult ducks, especially females, increase their consumption of protein-rich invertebrates to support egg production and raising young. Young ducklings depend on animal matter, like aquatic insects, for initial growth, gradually shifting towards a more plant-based diet as they mature.
Harmful Foods and Responsible Viewing
Feeding wild ducks common human foods like bread, crackers, popcorn, or chips can have severe negative consequences. These items offer little nutritional value, acting as “junk food” that fills their stomachs without providing necessary proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals. A diet lacking proper nutrition can lead to health problems like obesity, malnutrition, and deformities such as “angel wing,” where wing bones grow improperly, preventing flight.
Human feeding can disrupt natural duck behaviors and ecosystems. Ducks accustomed to handouts may become dependent on humans, losing foraging skills and increasing their risk of injury from cars or predators. Overcrowding at feeding sites can also spread diseases, increase aggression, and lead to water pollution from excess droppings and uneaten food. Observe wild ducks from a distance and refrain from feeding them to ensure they maintain natural behaviors and health.