Cold feet?
Surely for most humans, but what about these ducks?
Does a duck get cold feet when swimming in icy water?
Good to learn that they don't. Good to learn as the river looked frigid and the riverbank was snow-covered.
Why?
It's all about how blood is circulated through their feet. Ducks' feet aren't equipped with insulating layers of fat or feathers, which means they have to be able to minimize how much heat they lose through their feet through blood circulation.
The Mallard duck's bright orange legs have a counter current exchange system, this unique alignment of blood vessels, with veins and arteries lying next to each other, allows for the exchange of heat. Warm blood from the body, in the arteries, going into the duck’s feet is used to warm blood coming from the feet and back into the body in the veins.
The reduced temperature difference results in reduced heat loss, so ducks are not losing large amounts of body heat while dabbling bottoms-up for food in the water. A duck's feet can get cold, several degrees colder than the body, but its body stays warm. Waterfowl like ducks, geese and gulls further conserve body heat by standing on one leg or sitting down.
Now, I know (and so do you) that ducks and geese can have warmer feet than our own.
This recent snowfall was scant and short-lived, but beautiful as it clung to trees. Images below were taken in the French Park (Parc de Notre Renaissance Française) behind the Clocktower Place mill apartment buildings.
Hopefully your own weather wasn't too frigid or severe this week; Nashua, NH, temps have been in the mid 30s with weekend rain in the forecast.
Enjoy your weekend, Everyone
This weekend is amateur radio Winter Field Day
Patrick will be participating in this nationwide event
30 comments:
I have wondered the same about a duck’s feet. Thank you for the info!
I'm always amazed at how hardy ducks are but I never knew about their feet. We are warming up. It's 35 this morning and has been raining all night so most of our snow is gone. Just hoping it stays warm enough till this dries so it doesn't freeze over.
You really do ponder things that I have never pondered. I read this post and couldn't understand why the thought had never occurred to ME to think about. Thanks for answering the question I hadn't got around to asking!
I have pondered this question a few times, but never enough to look it up. now we know. glad they are not cold while floating in the water. maybe that is why the flamingos stand on one foot. to warm one foot at a time, they have such long legs that would work
I didn't know the how about ducks feet, but I guess I assumed they don't get cold. Nature has a way of taking care of these things. But now I know the rest of the story!
I knew generally about their feet and blood flow but you explained it in more detail. They fluff up their feathers to stay warm, too.
Looks beautiful after the snowfall! :)
Thanks for duck/goose feet info! We had 2 days of mostly solid rain/mist, now a fog here in the mountains of NC. But this big change was highs in the 60s F. Today is the first day dry enough for me to tote laundry across to the laundry room. More rain coming later this weekend.
Well. that's fascinating information. I guess I never gave it much thought but it sure makes sense, especially the part about standing on one leg.
Weather isn't too bad here in No. CA this morning. No rain and the temp. is 46F. Heavy fog in the valley. Off to do my care giving for my Alzheimer's friend this morning, so her daughter can go to an appointment and then do their grocery shopping for the week.
Sue
I was just thinking about ducks the other day as they paddled around in the icy river. It's quite amazing how they and other animals adapt.
You have done your homework well, Dorothy.
I love your beautiful pictures. I have always wondered about the feet of fowl. Also, how do pigeons walk on high wires without being electrocuted?
I knew nothing about fowl feet. Now I know quite a bit. Thank you.
This is such cool info! We have a lot of Mallards and Canada Geese here, and I have often wondered how they can stay year-round without migrating to somewhere warmer. Now I kNOW!!
Such amazing information! God sure thought of everything when He created the birds, geese, ducks and waterfowl...well, and really everything! We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made..." (Psalm 139:14)
I enjoyed your post and the pictures. Glad it hasn't been overly frigid and unbearable this winter for you. That is a blessing. We are warm, back in the 80's this afternoon, but it is expected to get cooler again next week, with morning lows in the 30's again for a few days. No snow in sight, however...it is Florida, after all! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
The rain and fog has made it look like London here.
The ducks look lovely, and the info about their feet - fascinating!
Seeing ducks in the winter water tell my brain there is freezing going on someplace. It is not a comfortale feeling worrying about cold duck feet.
Nice explanation of how some birds keep their feet warm.
The snow is pretty. We had some slush this AM, but wait until Sunday. This weather patterns has been crazy and I really hope for some more sunny days. Have a great weekend. hugs-Erika
They are hardy little creatures and your photos capture them beautifully!
I enjoyed reading the explanation — something I had pondered but never made the effort to find out.
It's wonderful how God takes care of everything.
Love the photos!
Hugs and blessings, Dorothy
Well, it never occurred to me to ask whether a duck gets cold feet when swimming in icy water. Now I know the answer! Our snow showers are usually quite short-lived too. A couple of hours and all the snow has melted.
Hi Beatrice, I didn't know about duck's feet...but of course my bride did! She's into critters, zoo shows, animal shows and vet shows too. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Well now I know why ducks don't get cold feet. Amazing. Lovely shots of the ducks and the snowy trees. While you are chilly we are having a heatwave and rain?? Crazy weather.
wow this was excellently informative dear Dorothy!
our power is not staying not during days nor in night and comes only any random while so it is hard to reach and open laptop.
i really enjoyed the sharing !!!
this is amazing how funny thought was transformed into knowledgeable post :)))
i now definitely know how these awesome creatures keep their feet warm .
special big thanks for majestic shots ,LOVED them all as it is delight to look them :)
best wishes to Patrick for enjoying the event !
health ,peace and joy to both of you !
Interesting information. I've always loved watching ducks in the water, but never thought about their feet. Beautiful pictures. Though I am not a winter person and am counting down til spring. It looks cold.
Sandy's Space
I did enjoy seeing all of your lovely duck photographs.
Many thanks for the information about them too :)
Enjoy these last few January days.
All the best Jan
I know several cold water swimmers i.e. who swim all year round, who always wear boots because it's their feet that suffer most. I can understand that. WE all need ducks feet obviously.
Thank you for the wonderful photos of the ducks and Canada geese - I particularly liked the geese. Isn't it wonderful when they fly through the air? Do you know Selma Lagerlöf's book "The Wonderful Journey of Little Nils Holgerson with the Wild Geese"? In 1909 Selma Lagerlöf received the Nobel Prize... it's so easy to digress :-))
The trees at the French park look wonderful. The residential buildings are former factory buildings, they look like spinning mills or other factories that were converted into residential buildings. Is that so? It's an interesting architectural style.
Unfortunately I don't know any amateur radio operators, I imagine it would be very interesting.
Kind regards to you from Viola
That was so interesting ! I like the way your mind works! And much appreciate the research you do and share with us. Glad to be back and having fun catching up…thanks for letting me know you missed my posts… I appreciated that!
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