There are lots of interesting facts about wetlands, waterfowl and other wildlife! Read some of our frequently asked questions to find out more about these fascinating places and the creatures that call them home.

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	Frequently Asked Questions
	Wetlands What is a wetland? A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water such as a swamp, marsh or bog. Once thought to be worthless, people now realize that wetlands are vital to the Earth’s ecosystem. Why are wetlands important? Wetlands are important because they offer many benefits to waterfowl, wildlife and people. Wetlands are key to the lifecycles of waterfowl and other wildlife as a matter of fact they are essential habitat for as many as 600 species of wildlife in Canada. Wetlands also provide environmental and societal value by moderating the effects of droughts, floods, climate change, and erosion. These vital areas have the potential to remove and store greenhouse gases from the Earth’s atmosphere. They also provide clean, secure water sources. Finally, wetlands offer tremendous recreation and learning opportunities for people of all ages. If you come visit the Greenwing Legacy Interpretive Centre you will see how! Waterfowl and other wildlife What is a duck? A duck is web-footed swimming bird. Ducks are characterized by broad, flat bills, short legs and a depressed body. There are wild and domesticated ducks. Why do ducks migrate? Basically, birds migrate to enjoy the benefits of good habitat conditions all year round. During the spring and summer, they take advantage of conditions in the north that provide abundant food along with good breeding and nesting habitat. Once fall rolls around, they make the arduous journey to enjoy these same types of habitat benefits further to the south. What do wild ducks eat? That depends on the duck’s species and life stage. Different species have different diets. As well, ducks often eat different things at different ages, depending on what their bodies need. For example, mallard ducks will eat a variety of foods, such as seeds, roots and stems of bulrushes, millet and smartweed, as well as waste grain like barley from farmers fields. They’ve also been known to eat mosquito larvae, midges and mayfly nymphs. A different example is common mergansers. These birds usually eat minnows, game fish, trout, salmon and some amphibians. I want to feed the wild ducks, what food should I give them? Feeding wild ducks is discouraged because it may interrupt natural migration, feeding patterns or it may congregate birds in small areas where the chance of spreading disease is increased. Feeding ducks bread is not helpful as bread lacks the high protein that they need for egg laying and migration. How do ducks know when to migrate? Generally, ducks, geese and other migratory birds know when it is time to migrate south due to instinct and some clues from their environment. The length of the days, weather conditions and reduction in food sources (because snow and ice cover the ground and water) are good indicators for the birds to begin heading south. While ducks and geese usually migrate south, some do remain in southern Canada for the winter. Those that stay in Canada stay close to areas with open water and adequate food. Depending on the species, ducks and geese migrate all over the United States, Central and South America. What other wildlife live in wetlands? Wetlands are home to all types of life! From critters you can't see with your eyes, to fish and insects, to large mammals wetlands provide homes for these animals, and in return wetlands rely on these animals to function properly. Animals you may see in the wetland: beavers, pheasants, foxes, groundhogs, muskrats, deer, raccoons, rabbits, frogs, partridges, moose, bears, and many, many more! Over 600 species live in wetlands. What animals have you seen in local wetlands? I found an injured duck, what should I do with it? Holding wildlife even temporarily is against the law in most provinces. DU Canada is not licensed to care for injured wildlife. Calls must be directed to the Provincial Wildlife Agencies: NS - 902 679-6091, NL - 709 729-2664, PE - 902 368-4683, NB - 506 453-2440. I found a lost/abandoned baby animal. What should I do? The best advice is to leave the animal alone. The mother will likely return to guide it to safety. Mothers often "hide" their young in order to find food and water. If they return to find their young missing it will be very upsetting to them. In some cases, a human touching or disturbing a young animal will cause the mother to abandon it. Yes, there is a chance that the young animal will die but that is part of the natural population cycle. People cannot, by law, “adopt” the young animal. Holding wildlife even temporarily is against the law in most provinces. DU Canada is not licensed to care for injured wildlife. Calls may be directed to the Provincial Wildlife Agencies: NS - 902 679-6091, NL - 709 729-2664, PE - 902 368-4683, NB - 506 453-2440.