system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: If bread isn't healthy for ducks how has it become such a common thing to feed them bread?

I recently read a "fun fact" (wasnt really fun) that bread isnt good for ducks and that you are actually killing it slowly by feeding it bread. If this is true how did it become such a common thing to do?
gpt
It's not inherently "bad". They can eat it and digest it without difficulty. The reason we are asked not to feed ducks/geese (especially in the wild or near lakes that humans use) is a twofold answer:

1. The ducks will get used to humans feeding them and stop looking for food and/ or become unafraid of humans which is actually not a good thing for wild animals. They are more easily hurt/ killed/ etc. if they don't stay away. Also, relying on humans for food means they don't learn the skills to get food on their own.

2. Bread doesn't have all the nutrients they need to live. Imagine how you would feel if you ate bread all day. No fruit, no veggies. Your body wouldn't be it's healthiest. Same goes for ducks. If they fill up on bread/ human food, they will not forage on their own and have a nice balanced diet.