Similar with Five little Monkeys or Five Little Speckled Frogs, Five Little Ducks is a popular counting out song.
There is also a finger play associated with the song. At first the parent holds five fingers out, then waves the ducks goodbye (when they swim away), then makes motions signalling a chatter when the duck quacks and finally holds up four fingers when only four ducks come back. The finger play is then repeated for all verses with the appropriate number of fingers.
“Five Little Ducks”Lyrics
Five Little Ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away.
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack,” but only four little ducks came back.
Four little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack,” but only three little ducks came back.
(Repeat counting down to “but no little ducks came back.”)
Sad mother duck went out one day, over the hills and far away
Mother Duck said, “Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack,” and five little ducks came back.