Diving mallards

[GranderTheGander]

That's funny about them staying under when you're trying to catch them.
That's a thing I and my friends have been thinking about the mallards. There are peregrine falcons in the area, and the ducks will stay in the water when they see them. They're always keeping one eye on the sky. We figure, firstly, if the hawk does its signature punching thing with its legs, it will only push them into the water and not harm them. And secondly if they see a hawk diving through the air toward them, they can go under to evade.
The reflexes of these wild mallards are hair trigger. They can get from land into the water in a quarter blink of an eye.

Yes, mallards will quickly dive under to avoid being grabbed by an air predator. It would make no sense to quickly swim or fly off, because they would still be above water to grab. There was a video posted here not too long ago showing domestic ducks in a pond diving under again and again at night, because an owl was around. Sadly, the young mallard with them, who was slower due to developmental problems, was grabbed by the owl.

 

[DucksGeeseHeart]

Yes, mallards will quickly dive under to avoid being grabbed by an air predator. It would make no sense to quickly swim or fly off, because they would still be above water to grab. There was a video posted here not too long ago showing domestic ducks in a pond diving under again and again at night, because an owl was around. Sadly, the young mallard with them, who was slower due to developmental problems, was grabbed by the owl.

That's fascinating! But sad for the baby.
Once a falcon swooped at "my" flock while I was watching them feed. They dove quickly enough in the water and stayed safe. But after that I was more careful about where and when I fed them. Would *hate* to see one be snatched in front of my eyes!

Fortunately the predating hawks have pretty much been cleared from the duck pond area, as the local birds have mobbed them several times. They haven't come back since then - off to find an easier territory.

The crows and mallards have a symbiotic relationship. They watch for the hawks, and will sound a warning. The mallards are constantly listening and jump in the water even when a blue jay screams! The crows will also form a mob with their calls, and will join in with other birds to chase the hawks away.

I started putting peanuts out for the crows, to reward them for their friendship. They will often come down and feed alongside the ducks.

 

[GranderTheGander]

That's fascinating! But sad for the baby.
Once a falcon swooped at "my" flock while I was watching them feed. They dove quickly enough in the water and stayed safe. But after that I was more careful about where and when I fed them. Would *hate* to see one be snatched in front of my eyes!

Fortunately the predating hawks have pretty much been cleared from the duck pond area, as the local birds have mobbed them several times. They haven't come back since then - off to find an easier territory.

The crows and mallards have a symbiotic relationship. They watch for the hawks, and will sound a warning. The mallards are constantly listening and jump in the water even when a blue jay screams! The crows will also form a mob with their calls, and will join in with other birds to chase the hawks away.

I started putting peanuts out for the crows, to reward them for their friendship. They will often come down and feed alongside the ducks.

Yes, all you say is true about the crows. I see them mob hawks all the time, and see the mallards react to their warnings all the time. The only thing is, some of their warnings aren't about hawks; and when the crows all take off in flight, the ducks will fly to the water; I guess erroneously thinking the crows had formed a mob to chase off a hawk. I've also seen the crows harass mallards and wigeons. I don't know if they are having fun or just being aggressive. Crows can be very haughty and naughty birds!

P.S. Dry cat food and grapes are also favorites of crows . . . plus a whole lot of other stuff. You certainly can't accuse them of being picky eaters.

 

[DucksGeeseHeart]

Yes, all you say is true about the crows. I see them mob hawks all the time, and see the mallards react to their warnings all the time. The only thing is, some of their warnings aren't about hawks; and when the crows all take off in flight, the ducks will fly to the water; I guess erroneously thinking the crows had formed a mob to chase off a hawk. I've also seen the crows harass mallards and wigeons. I don't know if they are having fun or just being aggressive. Crows can be very haughty and naughty birds!

P.S. Dry cat food and grapes are also favorites of crows . . . plus a whole lot of other stuff. You certainly can't accuse them of being picky eaters.

Oh yes! The first thing I noticed about the crows, back when the duck flock was very young (born last spring), was that they would make the "hawk! hawk!" sound in order to frighten the ducks away from the feed I'd just put down. Then they'd go and eat it themselves! They're VERY clever and naughty.

Have also seen them swoop at the ducks the way a hawk would swoop. For the same purpose. It worked at first, but now - whether because closer to winter thus hungrier, or the flock being generally more experienced, or because now the number is much larger making them feel more secure - the ducks are ignoring all their tricks. Maybe depends on context, like time of day. (Early morning or near sunset they're more easily spooked).

Somewhere there's probably a crow forum. I'd love to know what their dry cackling sound means. I just watched a video of a pet raven who made similar noise when her owner said "hello." (Fable the Raven on youtube).

I went searching on Youtube because I remembered seeing a video of a pet [some kind of corvid, myna bird I think]. It was kept indoors, and there were some dogs in the house, too, and a pond outside. The bird would make a noise like ducks quacking, and dogs would run outside the house thinking ducks had landed on the pond. Then the bird would preen it's feathers, which was said to mean it was very pleased with itself for having tricked the dogs.

I read that crows can imitate other animals too, even humans! The ones around here haven't started talking to me yet. Unless the dry cackle sound is meant for me.

 

[GranderTheGander]

I've never researched their sounds, either, I'll have to do that. They make all sorts of different sounds and screams. Your crackling crows are probably talking about you--discussing how they can make you put out more food specifically for them! The wild ducks here don't ignore the crows when they dive at them. They truly startle them and there is really no way to fight back, only jump away.

The crows are smart enough, though, not to harass the Canadian geese. I saw a funny scene this summer when a crow was hopping closer and closer to a little gosling. The mother was lying down and two of the goslings were next to her. A third one, however, was a foot or two behind her. The father was standing next to the mother, preoccupied with preening his feathers. So, the crow kept hopping closer and closer to the third gosling. But then the gander stopped preening and started staring at the crow . . . at which time the crow turned around and quickly hopped off the other way. Smart crow. There is no gander more ferocious than a Canadian one protecting its gosling.

 

[DucksGeeseHeart]

I've never researched their sounds, either, I'll have to do that. They make all sorts of different sounds and screams. Your crackling crows are probably talking about you--discussing how they can make you put out more food specifically for them! The wild ducks here don't ignore the crows when they dive at them. They truly startle them and there is really no way to fight back, only jump away.

The crows are smart enough, though, not to harass the Canadian geese. I saw a funny scene this summer when a crow was hopping closer and closer to a little gosling. The mother was lying down and two of the goslings were next to her. A third one, however, was a foot or two behind her. The father was standing next to the mother, preoccupied with preening his feathers. So, the crow kept hopping closer and closer to the third gosling. But then the gander stopped preening and started staring at the crow . . . at which time the crow turned around and quickly hopped off the other way. Smart crow. There is no gander more ferocious than a Canadian one protecting its gosling.

"Your crackling crows are probably talking about you--discussing how they can make you put out more food specifically for them! "

Those smart fellas. Because their plan worked.

The geese are indeed the best protectors ever. When we've had smaller numbers of ducks here, and the geese simultaneously, the ducks would stay near the geese. The geese even seemed enjoy their company.

A few weeks ago eleven geese stopped here for a visit. The largest number I've seen here. They came right up close to get the feed I was putting out, so I could get a good look at them. I always notice how kind of alien they look. The goslings especially, but even the adult head and neck. Kind of like ET from the movie.

Anyway, that time I was noticing how, compared to the friendly soft head and eye of the ducks (especially the hens), the geese have large kind of misshappen heads, and a huge glaring un-lidded eye. I'm sure that design is by nature's intention, to scare enemies. Even when they are acting friendly and coming close to be fed, their "face" stays scary looking.

Of course I love them anyway - they're so big and beautiful and majestic the way they move. These are the Canadian ones that stop here. I read a wonderful picture blog about a lone Barnacle goose in the midst of a huge herd of mallards in Netherlands. He was too slow to get the food a lady would put out, the ducks were so much faster.
It's a great read, it makes a whole story that has to be followed to the end.
Rödluven in the Snow: The Barnacle Goose

 

[GranderTheGander]

You are way more visually observant than I am. I just notice what type of duck or goose it is, its colors, and if it appears weak or injured. Of course, I also observe how they interact with each others and other birds or animals. That Barnacle goose was so small! I wonder if he or she didn't have frostbite on the bad foot. Seeing only bread being fed left me screaming, as I'm sure it did many others here who viewed the website.

 

[DucksGeeseHeart]

You are way more visually observant than me. I just notice what type of duck or goose it is, its colors, and if it appears weak or injured. Of course, I also observe how they interact with each others and other birds or animals. That Barnacle goose was so small! I wonder if he or she didn't have frostbite on the bad foot. Seeing only bread being fed left me screaming, as I'm sure it did many others here who viewed the website.

Yes, we are better educated now about what we should feed birds and waterfowl. I thought it was a very nice story, was able to get past the account of bread feeding as being from days when folks didn't know better. The story had a happy ending for the goose - no doubt he had proper feed in his new home.

 

[KaleIAm]

Yes, we are better educated now about what we should feed birds and waterfowl. I thought it was a very nice story, was able to get past the account of bread feeding as being from days when folks didn't know better. The story had a happy ending for the goose - no doubt he had proper feed in his new home.

I fed wild ducks bread 20+ years ago. I had no idea it was bad for them. Now I shudder.

I liked the story.

 

[The Duck Dad]

I feed about 500-600 mallards every fall and winter, and they do the exact same thing. They do it for fun and when they get the corn i put out