Why do the ducks, geese, and cranes around my pond all stand facing
the same direction when it rains?

I expect that they are facing the wind; that's the way their feathers
lie, avoiding the rain getting under them.  Birds are designed
(evolved) to face a headwind in flight.  Check it out next time.  I
expect that they are sensitive to the slightest breeze, one humans
might not notice.

Hi Greg,

A previous question I answered may be of interest to you, although it
is not specific to waterfowl.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=442524

Regards,
hummer

Like humans, they all stare at the one who has just broken wind

Intersting questions and anwer.

I am an animal lover myself but im just gona try to guess at
this..hmmmm its prolly becuz they are seeing if they can smell fish in
the air or something in the air. or its prolly becuz they like that
direction OR if thats where their thinking to migrate or fly off to
when the rain slows down. or something like that..i have the same
problem but i cant seem to figure it out either.