Water Birds: Ducks, Geese, Swans & Gulls

What waterfowl and shorebirds eat, and how long they live

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Water birds — ducks, geese, swans and gulls — are the birds you meet at ponds, lakes and the coast. This hub links to our guides on what they eat and how long they live.

Ducks

Before you toss bread at the pond, read what ducks really eat and how long ducks live.

Geese

Grazers with a big appetite. See what geese eat.

Swans

Elegant and largely vegetarian. See what swans eat.

Gulls (seagulls)

Clever coastal opportunists. See what seagulls eat and how long seagulls live.

Explore water-bird guides

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Frequently asked questions

Should you feed bread to ducks?

No — bread has little nutrition and can harm ducks and pollute water. Better options include cracked corn, oats, peas and lettuce. See our duck feeding guide.

What do water birds eat naturally?

It depends on the species — from pond plants and grasses to insects, small fish and snails. Each guide above covers a specific bird.

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