How Humans Impact Imprinting

     If young birds imprint on humans, they will identify as a human for life. Reversing the imprinting process is impossible – these birds are bonded to humans for the rest of their life and will identify with humans instead of their own species.

     Due to the deep bond between parent and duckling, human-raised ducks will spend their entire lives seeking the love and attention of their human companion. Much like the more familiar loyalty of a dog, ducks know who their owners are and regularly express love and recognition affectionately. Ducklings immediately become attached to their parent, which is why one can so often see ducklings marching uniformly behind their mother and nesting close to her.