do male ducks stay near the nest?

[jbeyer]

I live near a canal where there is a male and female pair of Pekin ducks. They are always together and never stray far. This evening, the male was alone, and I couldn't find the female anywhere. I'm optimistically thinking that the female may be nesting somewhere on her own. Is this the typical behavior? Or if the female was nesting, would the male be nearby?

Thanks in advance,
Jon

 

[ellieuki]

It's not entirely unlikely that she isn't nesting. Not sure a pekin will actually nest, they most likely abandon their nest before any eggs can hatch, especially in the wild. Ducks sadly become prey to many predators - eagles, hawks, snapping turtles, bob cats, coyotes, raccoons, wolves, humans, etc.

Keep an eye out :/ - if you notify a rescue place that pekin ducks are in your area, they should come pick them up. Domestic ducks don't have the same ability to defend themselves as wild ducks.

Please keep me updated - I would hate to know a solo pekin to be alone in the wild.

 

[Finny]

It's not entirely unlikely that she isn't nesting. Not sure a pekin will actually nest, they most likely abandon their nest before any eggs can hatch, especially in the wild. Ducks sadly become prey to many predators - eagles, hawks, snapping turtles, bob cats, coyotes, raccoons, wolves, humans, etc.

Keep an eye out :/ - if you notify a rescue place that pekin ducks are in your area, they should come pick them up. Domestic ducks don't have the same ability to defend themselves as wild ducks.

Please keep me updated - I would hate to know a solo pekin to be alone in the wild.

Agreed. Domestic ducks dumped into the wild don't last long. I would call a rescue center and hope the female is safe.