Have you ever wondered what happens when ducks build their homes near farms? Thanks to amazing Earth Rangers like you, Cat and the team at Ducks Unlimited Canada has been hard at work finding the answers!Â
By adopting a mallard, you’ve helped support research that protects wetlands—the watery homes that mallards and many other animals depend on to survive.
Last summer, the team visited more than 150 wetlands across the Canadian Prairies to investigate how nearby farming might affect ducks and their habitats. Using drones with powerful zoom cameras, they completed more than 200 surveys, counting nearly 4,000 pairs of ducks in the spring and more than 1,500 ducklings later in the summer!
But counting ducks was only part of the adventure! The team collected water samples, measured wetland conditions, and searched for tiny insects (a mallard’s favourite snack!). In total, they gathered more than 75,000 aquatic insects and other tiny animals that provide important food for ducks.
They also set up hidden cameras and sound recorders to discover which other animals were visiting the wetlands. During the winter, they brought everything back to the lab, where they tested water quality, identified insects, and even used smart computer technology to recognize bird songs and wildlife captured on camera.
Every clue helps researchers better understand what ducks need to thrive and how we can protect the wetlands they call home. Healthy wetlands don’t just help mallards, they provide food, shelter, and clean water for countless plants and animals.
Thanks to Earth Rangers like you, the team continues to figure out new ways to protect wetlands so future generations of mallards can continue to nest, raise their ducklings, and thrive. Way to make a real difference!
You can still help make a difference for animals like the mallard. Head to the Adoptions section in the App or visit the Earth Rangers EStore to get your own Adoption Kits and help support conservation efforts for these awesome animals!
