Found a Duckling

[cachal]

Precious lil one are you parents buy reg feed for the duckling too ?

They picked up chick feed. Not sure exactly what it is but I'll have it Friday.

 

[CayugaJana]

Are you keeping it inside or outside?

 

[lomine]

It is 100% illegal to keep a wild born Mallard without a permit. This duckling needs to be taken to a trained rehabilitator so that it can be raised properly and returned to the wild. I know that OP and other folks try to care for these birds with the best of intentions but it is NOT in the birds best interest to do so.

Here are the possible consequences of keeping the duckling.

The MBTA creates two types of consequences for violations of its provisions: criminal penalties and forfeitures. It is a misdemeanor to violate any provision of the Act with punishment of a maximum fine of $15,000 or imprisonment up to six months or both, (§ 707(a), but it is a felony to “knowingly” take a bird with the intent to sell or to sell a bird with penalty of a maximum fine up to $2,000 or imprisonment up to one year or both. (§ 707(b)-(c)).

 

[CayugaJana]

It is 100% illegal to keep a wild born Mallard without a permit. This duckling needs to be taken to a trained rehabilitator so that it can be raised properly and returned to the wild. I know that OP and other folks try to care for these birds with the best of intentions but it is NOT in the birds best interest to do so.

Here are the possible consequences of keeping the duckling.

The MBTA creates two types of consequences for violations of its provisions: criminal penalties and forfeitures. It is a misdemeanor to violate any provision of the Act with punishment of a maximum fine of $15,000 or imprisonment up to six months or both, (§ 707(a), but it is a felony to “knowingly” take a bird with the intent to sell or to sell a bird with penalty of a maximum fine up to $2,000 or imprisonment up to one year or both. (§ 707(b)-(c)).

I think in this case it is up to the original posters parents. And not in the original posters control. So while everything you posted is correct, I think the distinction needs to be made for future posters in this thread. He or she can only give their parents the information and then deal with what they decide. The OP is obviously concerned for the ducklings well being. And for that I’m thankful. So thank you @cachal for having the wherewithal to research how to best take care of the duckling!

But thank you lomine for posting so that we can have a reference to look at if the subject comes up again.

 

[lomine]

I think in this case it is up to the original posters parents. And not in the original posters control. So while everything you posted is correct, I think the distinction needs to be made for future posters in this thread. He or she can only give their parents the information and then deal with what they decide. The OP is obviously concerned for the ducklings well being. And for that I’m thankful. So thank you @cachal for having the wherewithal to research how to best take care of the duckling!

But thank you lomine for posting so that we can have a reference to look at if the subject comes up again.

I respectfully disagree that a distinction should be made. If you make an exception for one person's situation then what about the next one, and the one after that? Where do you draw the line? The MBTA was established to protect the wild birds and is in place for very good reasons.

The problem is these types of posts keep popping up again and again. I only ever see a few posters who continually warn the OPs about it being illegal and tell them to give it to a rehabilitation center. Most replies encourage the OPs to keep the duckling and talk about how to care for them long term. The only legal and responsible thing to do is to hand it over to a rehab center. Keeping it for one's own gratification is selfish.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/find-a-wildlife-rehabilitator.html

 

[CayugaJana]

I respectfully disagree that a distinction should be made. If you make an exception for one person's situation then what about the next one, and the one after that? Where do you draw the line? The MBTA was established to protect the wild birds and is in place for very good reasons.

The problem is these types of posts keep popping up again and again. I only ever see a few posters who continually warn the OPs about it being illegal and tell them to give it to a rehabilitation center. Most replies encourage the OPs to keep the duckling and talk about how to care for them long term. The only legal and responsible thing to do is to hand it over to a rehab center. Keeping it for one's own gratification is selfish.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/find-a-wildlife-rehabilitator.html

That’s the great thing about BYC. We can respectfully disagree with each other and still go on being friends and talking about what we all love. Birds!

 

[lomine]

That’s the great thing about BYC. We can respectfully disagree with each other and still go on being friends and talking about what we all love. Birds!

That I will agree with.

 

[lomine]

Thank you everyone for your help.

Many of these comments have been making me feel a great deal of anxiety and guilt so I feel I should try and explain the situation.

When the duck was given to us I immediately wanted to call someone to help, but everyone I spoke with in person has told me to just keep it (living in my community are many families who have nursed wild animals to health. I am not positive on their permits and what not but this is the attitude in my very small community).

I agree with all the comments about getting the duckling proper care, however it is not my house nor my duckling. I came to this website with the intention of informing myself and others in my household for properly caring for this animal. I did not necessarily want to get shit for keeping him, I'm aware of the laws in my area.

Reading many of these comments, I am very thankful for everyone pushing me to call a wildlife rehabilitation centre and also those who have given me advice on caring for the duckling. However, a lot of these comments have been making me feel a great deal of guilt, and I am not the one to be guilty. I wanted to keep all of you up to date on this duckling but I think I will stop posting and just read other people's articles to further inform myself on caring for the animal.

I don't mean to blame any of you or point fingers. I know everyone here loves animals and replied with good intentions. Thank you for giving me sources and information on the duckling.

Sorry for the long post. I'm sure I rambled and repeated myself quite a bit but I hope I explained myself well enough. I understand that there is no excuse for keeping the bird.

Once again, thank you everyone for your advice and comments.

I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I'm sure my posts reflect my feelings on the matter of keeping wild ducks very clearly but the greatest source of my frustration comes from those who continually encourage it, even after being told the legalities. The worst was the post actually claiming it to not be illegal. That's what really boiled my blood. If you live in the US (or Canada) the MBTA applies to you.

I think the best thing to do is educate people on the matter. I don't know about the people that live in your area but maybe they just don't know it's illegal. If they did I doubt they would say to keep it. Raising a domestic duckling and raising a duckling to be released are two very different things, that's why wildlife rehabilitators go through training. I can tell you now that many of things that were recommended and some of the things you stated you are doing are not what a rehaber would do. It may not be your house or duckling (technically it doesn't belong to anyone) but you have clearly taken responsibility. You have been informed that keeping it is illegal and not in it's best interest. What you do with that information is up to you.

 

[JanetMarie]

I respectfully disagree that a distinction should be made. If you make an exception for one person's situation then what about the next one, and the one after that? Where do you draw the line? The MBTA was established to protect the wild birds and is in place for very good reasons.

The problem is these types of posts keep popping up again and again. I only ever see a few posters who continually warn the OPs about it being illegal and tell them to give it to a rehabilitation center. Most replies encourage the OPs to keep the duckling and talk about how to care for them long term. The only legal and responsible thing to do is to hand it over to a rehab center. Keeping it for one's own gratification is selfish.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/find-a-wildlife-rehabilitator.html

Taking care of an only duckling is unselfish and takes a lot of time. It's out of concern for the duckling that one would keep it.

My opinion is that if one is to keep it and raise it, although illegal, has to be kept with that person for life and never released or allowed to fly away, but could be confiscated if found out by the authorities and end up badly for the duck and it's caretaker.

If the intention is to release it, then it should be taken to a rehabilitator, but until a rehabilitation center is found that will take it, someone has to take care of it.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I am probably the odd one out here, but wild animals left in the wild - stranded or lost - are still part of what makes the ecosystem work. If I came upon a lone wild baby animal, no matter how cute, it would still stay in that place when I left. In fact, I wouldn't even touch it. It is a part of life. It is how the animal kingdom works.
I guess if it were some obscure almost extinct creature, I might reconsider. But, that is just my opinion.
Due to the duck being in the OPs care already, they have to tend to it as it would be cruel not to.
However, I think we have scared the OP off.