Any way to help abandoned duckling at local pond?

[mahu1982]

We live in the mountains and for the past week there has been a lone duckling at our local
pond (approximately 100x50ft).

He is very little and no mom duck or other ducklings around.

It's been really hot with nighttime lows in the high 50s or low 60s but will be getting cooler for a few days this week.

The duckling seems to be doing well swimming around all day and disappearing into the bushes at night.

We thought about catching him and bringing him to local wildlife center but they advised that lone ducklings don't do well and that since he made it for 4-5 days (this was on Friday) he may be fine and has better chance where he is than in captivity.

What could we do to give him a little energy boost and/or shelter? A shoe box with bedding inside?
Thanks!!

 

[cavemanrich]

You are not allowed to intervene.. I know it sounds crazy, but the federal rules are such.
You can offer some seeds to feed the duckling. There is no rule against that as far as I know.
I have a few visiting adult ducks come by my yard, almost daily. and eat the dropped bird seeds from my feeder. Then they fly away.
Its like having duck pets without maintenance.
Drop some feed on the shore of pond. Duckie will find it.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[EverythingDucks]

Hello and welcome to BackYard Chickens! Glad you joined. Everyone here is very kind and helpful
I find it suprising that he's lasted this long on his own without a mother to keep him warm and protect him. Hard to tell the age by the photo but ducklings don't produce their own oil to waterproof them until they are 4 weeks old, though they don't do much until 8 to 12 weeks when they are fully feathered.
I'm guessing he is older than four weeks since he hasn't died from being soaking wet and cold.


I'm not to sure I agree with the wildlife rescue here. While yes, they don't do as well alone but he's alone in the wild as well. A lot of rescues end up with tons of ducklings and most would have no problem putting him with some ducklings around the same age, or they could put a mirror and stuffed animal in his brooder.

Personally, I would have taken him in and kept him safe and fed until he was older, then release him. But it's hard to keep him "wild". Meaning that he should not be handled, or handled as little as possible, and it would be best to get lots of outside time. And to let him forage for his food rather than putting his food in a bowl.
I always recommend people bring rescued wild ducklings to a wildlife rehab, but in this case I think he'd be better off in your hands.

But that's also illegal

You can get some cracked corn, duck feed from a feed store, or bird seed and put it out for him. I have two wild ducks that visit me every spring and they love birdseed. They eat it right out of my hands

 

[ibarbidahl]

That baby is lucky to have survived this long. Law only prohibits it if it's a migratory species or endangered - but this doesn't look like a mallard or other wild duckling - there is a large patch of yellow around his throat that is known as a bib.
If you can catch him I would. Good luck with your decision.

 

[SolarDuck]

I definitely disagree with the wildlife rescue, his chances on his own are extremely low. I would catch him and bring him to a rehab that will take him.

 

[Miss Lydia]