"Ducky" is missing (I think I saw him today!)

[duckyfromoz]

So glad to hear you have able to locate him again. Something else to consider- regardless of if people are being discouraged to feed the birds there- with the colder weather many who use the area regularly may not be there as often either. With less to forage over the colder months- and less food provided by people many ducks - whether domestic or wild in lake and ponds do not fair so well through winter. Parasites could also be an issue in a wild flock.

 

[sourland]

Now that he is developing his adult drake plumage, the other drakes are probably picking on him to subordinate him. He is probably having less time to eat and getting more exercise as they chase him. It's all part of the "wild" drake rites of passage. He will survive this- many have. Just ducks being ducks.

 

[desertdarlene]

Yeah, his older friend is about two to three weeks older than him and I caught him pecking at some of the other drakes now that he's half-way through his molt. The older duckling has gotten his drake feather now, so Ducky should be getting his, soon. They don't treat him too bad, but I do notice that he's low in social ranking amongst the drakes (and even a few hens, too).

I live in a fairly warm climate and at this time of year, we start to get more rain and thus more bugs, grass and algae, so I think it will get better for foraging there. We usually get more people at this time of year, getting away from the snow. But, yes, one of the regular feeders left and won't be back until summer. He used to feed Ducky when he was a baby.

 

[xke4]

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. Your ability to tell the birds apart amazes me. You must have a very good eye....comes from being a photographer/artist maybe cuz I am fairly certain, when I rehab the ducks for the wildlife centre each year, unless one has a glaring difference, they all look the same to me!

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
Thanks! It's extremly hard sometimes, but having a good camera and the ability to compare photos helps a lot. I almost dropped my camera on the pavement yesterday, too, so scary! I would be harder to tell many animals apart without it.

Ducky's really easy to tell appart because he's younger than everyone else. I have trouble telling apart some of the males because they all look the same and don't even have different markings on their bills like the females do. And, the coots are really hard for me to tell apart unless they have an injury or a different personality.