Duck dilemma (please help)

[animalloverducks]

If this duck is part of this flock of Mallards I am not sure what would be best for it , are the other ducks on the creek with it over night?

Yes, there are about 20 ducks that sleep in the creek. Boy and girl.

 

[animalloverducks]

I agree, it has been here for 24 hours and is happy with the flock. I will let it be the flock and monitor if needed. Should I set up any kind of structure?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’d just leave it alone then. Just enjoy them. They are probably dependent on you feeding them though.

 

[animalloverducks]

I will continue to feed. I might try to limit it more though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like they are surviving pretty good on their own,only kind of structure would need to be one where they would be locked in at night anything else they would just be sitting ducks.Safety in the water as long as it doesn’t freeze solid.

 

[Jpat]

What an odd bird i wish someone knew what is was

I spend an hour searching duck species and the closest duck i could find was a brewers duck

Or a mix of mallard and muscovie

 

[animalloverducks]

What an odd bird i wish someone knew what is was

I spend an hour searching duck species and the closest duck i could find was a brewers duck View attachment 1636016 View attachment 1636017

Or a mix of mallard and muscovie
View attachment 1636018 View attachment 1636018 View attachment 1636019

Thank you so much. I really am confused about it too.

 

[townchicks]

They may have not migrated due to you feeding them, or they may have stayed anyway. However, it's way too late to stop feeding them now. You should continue to feed them now, as they are dependent on you, for the winter. Come spring, start gradually feeding less and wean them off altogether by late spring. It is never a good idea to feed wild animals. It is not good for them nutritionally, and it acclimates them to people, which can cause conflicts, in which the animal is always the loser. Best to enjoy them from a distance, being wild and doing what comes naturally. Regarding the possibly domestic duck, I'd keep an eye on it, if it flies well, and seems to be part of the flock, leave it be. Meanwhile, check with the neighbors to see if anybody's lost one.

 

[Cayuga momma]

It looks like a mix between an american black duck and a cayuga. My cayuga male has an orange bill and his feet are a little orange, but he is so heavy he can only fly about 3 ft high.