Ducks Having Difficult Time Finding Food Due To Ice

The Department of Natural Resources says extreme cold conditions on Michigan’s waters are causing some trouble for Michigan’s waterfowl.

The exceptionally cold winter weather of the past few weeks has caused the rivers and waters of the Great Lakes to freeze further into the center, similar to conditions experienced last year.

Large concentrations of ducks like canvasbacks, long-tailed ducks, redheads and scaup are gathering in the remaining areas of open water on the Great Lakes, including western Lake Erie, and on large rivers like the Detroit and St. Clair rivers.

The DNR says with so many ducks in a small area, and a fairly small amount of food, some of these ducks are becoming malnourished.

Officials say don’t attempt to rescue the ducks as ice conditions are unpredictable, especially near rivers where currents can be swift.

The DNR does not expect the losses to negatively affect overall duck populations.