The key to ducks flotation is oil. Ducks have glands called "uropygial glands" on top of their tails, which produce an oily substance from wax and fat. When a duck preens itself it reaches back to get uropygal oil and coats its feathers with it, like waterproof. The feathers can now trap the air beneath them and keep it afloat.
If ducks use oil to float then why are Oil spills bad for them? Its because Petroleum Oil its heavy and viscous and mats the feathers together so they cant hold air. When this happens the ducks drown.
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