We own (or did own) two rouen drakes. My 14-year-old daughter attempted to drive them into their house on Saturday night, but they swam to the farthest reaches of the pond and refused to come in, possibly because the temps have finally been over 30 degrees consistently. On Sunday morning, when she went out to feed them, one was missing. However, in the woods behind our house, up in the trees, was the biggest flying duck I have ever seen, all alone. We often have pairs of mallards, but this was a lonely only. My question is: would the drive to find a mate cause a male to leave his imprinted buddy and fly away? Can rouens even do that? We were told that rouens were bred to be too large to fly. In the past, we have seen them get about three feet off the ground and fly roughly 50 feet in distance, but that's it. They free range and probably get 80-90% of their food from foraging in the creek behind our house. They only want food when it is winter and bitterly cold (we are in Michigan). This is their first spring as mature adults- they are a little under a year old.
If the one did fly away to find a mate, is it a duck's habit then to remain with the mate or might he return? I know this is entirely speculative, but we are very sad about the loss of a beloved pet and concerned about the remaining lonely one. Would he even accept a new buddy?
If the one did fly away to find a mate, is it a duck's habit then to remain with the mate or might he return? I know this is entirely speculative, but we are very sad about the loss of a beloved pet and concerned about the remaining lonely one. Would he even accept a new buddy?
