Innate duck alarm system....check

[Broodica]

Had the two older ducklings outside to catch some rays, bugs, whatever. Ms/Mr Aggressive only butted big galoot Rouen a couple of times. Was about 5 feet away from them and they both suddenly hunkered down, heads tilted sideways, looking up. I looked up and YIKES! Huge bald eagle happily circling. They both ran over to me and sat on my feet. Was too scared to have them follow me back inside, so scooped them both up in my arms and ran into the house screaming....the ducks, not me.

Thank goodness run and duck house almost finished.....guess I'll need a tractor to have them in the backyard.

 

[desertdarlene]

It's amazing how birds, especially birds that are usually prey animals, are so much more alert than humans. If I could use killdeer for example, they seem to be able to see a hawk a mile away. One time, I was watching the killdeer and they were acting very strange, doing alarm calls and laying in the grass. I just thought they were extra nervous or something, but it was strange that they never reacted to me like that before. Then, all of a sudden, a hawk drops down in front of me to catch a grackle. I never knew the hawk was there, but the killdeer did.

 

[Broodica]

I love watching birds. Fascinated by them in every way. This is my first time raising ducks and chickens and I would love to be with them all day just observing. They have all been in my house for the past 5 weeks and I am utterly entranced and boring people to death on here with my comments and questions. I can't wait to get them outside into their new homes. I wish I could let them all free-range, but there are just too many predators around, day and night.

I wish we as humans were able to tap in to those primitive instincts that I am sure we still have buried in our psyches. We would be so much more aware of what is going on around us. I generally know when the eagles and hawks are hunting because everything goes quiet. Suddenly the only sounds I am hearing are from the river below us. I look up and inevitably there is a bird of prey circling, or just cruising down the river looking for fish.

I love your web-site! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

 

[desertdarlene]

Quote:
Thanks!

I think part of it, with humans, is that we are so accustomed not being preyed on or not being on the lookout for food, especially in this part of the world, that we just aren't as alert for things like hawks and eagles.

 

[Broodica]

True, but I think my 14 yo son must have been a duck in a previous life. He can zone in on a bug or salamander from 500 feet and is sure bears and cougars are after us when we sit out at the point at night!