Why is rain claimed to be good weather for ducks? Do ducks even like the rain? The truth is quite shocking!
On a rainy day, you’ll often hear someone proclaiming that it’s “good weather for ducks”.
You may hope that this means that although we’re getting a soaking when out and about, our feathered quacking friends are having jolly old time.
Unfortunately, the origin of the expression “rain is good weather for ducks” has nothing to do with ducks enjoying or benefiting from rain – quite the opposite in fact!
For reasons unknown, some people prefer not to just visit or feed ducks, but hunt and shoot them instead. For these duck hunters, the rain helps to mask their presence, making it easier for them to hunt the ducks.
Rather than the innocent sounding “rain is good weather for ducks” the full meaning is “rain is good weather for hunting ducks”.
We’ve had the misfortune of browsing duck hunting websites when researching this expression and really don’t want to provide links to those website for you!
That shocking truth aside, is it possible that ducks like the rain, even where there’s no danger of duck hunters?
Well, a 2009 research project identified that ducks preferred having a shower of water over access to a pool of water. Alas, the research was for duck farmers, so it’s still no reason to be happily quacking in the rain!
However, although we can’t be sure that they actually like it, we can at least say that our feathered quacking friends are well prepared for rain with their fine feathered raincoats.
After all, rain to ducks is just like water off a duck’s back!
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