Ducks Pecking?

[blissfulbirds]

A few days ago, 4 of our 6 mallards, who were raised for release after being abandoned, flew off to a pond nearby. The other two stayed around in the stream on our property. Today one flew away in the direction of the pond where the others are, but since the last one cant fly yet he was left behind. They are the same age (11 wks) but he is a little behind in development. Not wanting the last one to be left alone, we brought him to the pond and released him with the other 4. At first, they started to peck occasionally at his head and chase him a bit, but they seemed to settle in after a while. My question is, was that pecking normal behavior since they haven't seen him in a few days? I know there isn't much I can do now that he is released, but it'd be nice to know! Thank you for any advice

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

pecking “his” head may be mating behavior. one girl with four boys would cause her to run, which would result in the chasing

 

[blissfulbirds]

pecking “his” head may be mating behavior. one girl with four boys would cause her to run, which would result in the chasing

Interesting! i have heard one of the four bigger ones quack, but not the little one. However, he (or she i guess!) is still growing so that may be the case! Thank you so much for the input i hadn’t thought of that