why do ducks wag their tails?

[woodsy roo]

First ducks I've owned. Some say they are happy. I have seen them wag their tails when they seem agitated or just communicating to each other.

 

[Amiga]

Mine seem to wag their tails when things are going well, especially after anything that has caused them to be nervous. But they wag their tails when they see me coming with treats, so I think it is a happy behavior.

The "I'm okay" wing flap is another thing I have noticed.

 

[BelovedBirds]

First ducks I've owned. Some say they are happy. I have seen them wag their tails when they seem agitated or just communicating to each other.

it could be both I'd imagine, dogs wag their tails when excited but also when they're anxious, it can probably mean multiple things but is accompanied by other signs of excitement/agitation, and it takes that context to decipher which it is.

 

[LucyLovesDucks]

I’ve seen mine wag their tails after tasting something they didn’t agree with, kinda like saying “heck no!”