Ducks Disappeared

[Kmgdp]

For context I live in NC, in a suburban area.

Two of my ducks disappeared without a trace, no feathers, blood, or anything. They were two mallards, a male and female who had their wings regularly clipped. My entire backyard is fenced off and trees usually completely cover above. I have no idea what could have happened to them. We have a few neighbor cats sure, but it happened in the middle of the day and I'd expect to see at least feathers or hear them. Aside from that, I have never seen them fly far, but it could be possible.

I also have two pekin ducks who seemed to be completely fine. They never really got along with my other ducks so they aren't usually together.

Any ideas as to what happened? Or what I could do? I've asked my neighbors and they haven't seemed to see anything. Is it possible they'd come back?

 

[Kelly Klumpp]

For context I live in NC, in a suburban area.

Two of my ducks disappeared without a trace, no feathers, blood, or anything. They were two mallards, a male and female who had their wings regularly clipped. My entire backyard is fenced off and trees usually completely cover above. I have no idea what could have happened to them. We have a few neighbor cats sure, but it happened in the middle of the day and I'd expect to see at least feathers or hear them. Aside from that, I have never seen them fly far, but it could be possible.

I also have two pekin ducks who seemed to be completely fine. They never really got along with my other ducks so they aren't usually together.

Any ideas as to what happened? Or what I could do? I've asked my neighbors and they haven't seemed to see anything. Is it possible they'd come back?

Any neighbors with dogs near by? We had some dogs cleanly nab our chickens. The only reason we knew was because our neighbor returned the mangled chicken. If a dog got out, maybe it could have gotten your ducks? I'm not too sure.

 

[sourland]

If they left on their own, they may come back. I'd be concerned that you may be dealing with a relatively large 'snatch and run' predator like a fox, coyote, or bobcat.

 

[Kmgdp]

Any neighbors with dogs near by? We had some dogs cleanly nab our chickens. The only reason we knew was because our neighbor returned the mangled chicken. If a dog got out, maybe it could have gotten your ducks? I'm not too sure.

I think pretty much all of my neighbors have dogs. The ones closest to me have only small dogs. Another of my neighbors has puppies and a goat. The other have two chained larger dogs. The rest generally keep them inside. I would definitely see if a dog got inside since my ducks are a noisy bunch.

Though it's very possible that my ducks could have flown somewhere they shouldn't and a dog got to them. Maybe my neighbors are sparing me the news.

Thanks for the reply though!

 

[Kmgdp]

If they left on their own, they may come back. I'd be concerned that you may be dealing with a relatively large 'snatch and run' predator like a fox, coyote, or bobcat.

I can't say I've ever seen those animals around before. Do they tend to live in suburban areas?

The biggest animals I see are possums and raccoons. I have a pretty wooded area at the end of my street that's closed off the public.