How do you tell if a duck is wild or dropped off?

[KansasKid]

Mallards and Rouens have the same color --> wild type --> really only true difference is size.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
I didn't realize mallards were the same color. Are they smaller than rouens? I posted a pic of one that looked like what i saw. Bottom of page 1 i think.... Hoping to see her again and get a pic. I did tell my husband that mallards i knew were able to fly, but thought all heads were green. So you think she might be wild then?

 

[KansasKid]

Yes, Mallards and rouens are both wild type color. Males have green heads and females are brown like the one in the pic. Males when young or in eclipse plumage can resemble females.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
And mallards would be able to fly into a tree right? So probably a mallard? Any idea how to tell if she is wild? or if i would/should adopt her.....

 

[KansasKid]

If it was a domestic duck i would figure it would "fly" off out of "harms" way but close enough it could still check stuff out. If it is indeed a mallard that is captive breed then its right back toe should be clipped.

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
What is captive breed? I have never heard that term. Is it like bred in captivity, meaning it belongs to a zoo or something similar?

 

[KansasKid]

Like if i have a mallard from a hatchery its domestic/captive breed and must have a toe clipped
Just like if i were to have a wood duck or merganser, they would have to be captive breed to be legal and marked in some way (toe clipped, pinioned, seamless band)

 

[davekrista]

Quote:
ok.... so if i see her again, I should look at her feet then.....and that should tell me.
Thank you for all the advice and patience. We'll see what the weekend brings. Hopefully i can get a pic, but now i know i should look at the feet.