Is it legal to take a baby duck from a public pond?

[GoofyNewt]

I think the actual "catching" of them will be more difficult than you think, unless you have a lot of helpers. Then you risk traumatizing and possibly injuring them.
Definitely come up with a solid plan before attempting anything, please.

I don't plan on having a full on chase. I will feed them while sitting and wait patiently for them to get near me and eat out of my hand.

 

[GoofyNewt]

Yes, thievery is illegal.

This birds are not abandoned. They belong to the city. Will have normally chips or bands and are being raised and feeded with money taxed to all people.

These birds are abandoned though. Never has anyone from the city come by and fed or checked up on them. Their diet consist of white bread and crackers because the general public isn't aware it's not the best diet for them.

 

[Catwest]

The domestic birds aren't game birds(and they technically wouldn't count because they don't migrate), and when I did my research pigeons are able to be killed whenever.

I stand corrected. Feral pigeons are not protected. Here in AZ, band-tail pigeons have a season and cannot be hunted outside of it. I made the mistake of blanketing all pigeons under that, d’oh! Though, dove and pigeon nomenclature has no hard and fast rule. Even ornithologists don’t agree on the naming procedures for Columbinae, from what I understand.

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

Yes thievery is illegal.

But the issue is the op is talking about duck breeds that are most likely not of a wild species of duck. I would have thought a city would remove non-indigenous species i.e domestic from the area so only native/wild species would not have to compete for food. Also it depends where the op is talking about i.e city center, a pond that's in a rual area were it's easy to dump birds etc. I know in the UK there are places that chip/ tag and feed the wild birds i.e non domesticated if that is what draws people to the area but I have never heard of it in the USA not saying it's impossible tho.

While many think it's not a good idea it's down to the op what they decided to do. While I personally don't think it's wise for various reason it's up to them and as long as they have a good set up and no other ducks near the new ones til they are cleared of health issues and they are well looked after (suggest grabbing the mama duck to) then chances are 50/50.

As I said in a previous post as far as I'm aware domesticated breeds of duck are not protected under any type of law like a migration act or similar act/law as domesticated breeds are just that domesticated they (are as far as I'm aware) not thought of as wild duck species. But as one pointed out they do have a list of declared wild species and that should be followed.

 

[Catwest]

These birds are abandoned though. Never has anyone from the city come by and fed or checked up on them. Their diet consist of white bread and crackers because the general public isn't aware it's not the best diet for them.

Your post asks for what is legal, not what is ethical, and I think you are getting replies regarding both. I think only city officials in your area will be able to tell you if it is legal. I think the ethicality of the situation is difficult to judge. As you mentioned, dumped domestic ducks are often fed junk food, and they aren’t able to fly and forage for the best food for their diet. On the other end, some will argue it is unethical to take a duckling from its mother.

I’m not sure there is a “right” answer in terms of the ethicality of taking a baby duck of a domesticated breed from a city park.

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

My question is do these ducklings have mothers?

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

My question is do these ducklings have mothers?

My question is did the op ever state they would not take the mama duck?

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

My question is did the op ever state they would not take the mama duck?

Well they didn't state either whether they would or would not. But they never mentioned anything about taking the mother.

 

[pvaldes]

Why not take some trees and a couple of swings also from the park? That waste bin looks practically new...

 

[Mysimplewyominglife]

pvaldes that is a very cheap shot. if you can't add something useful don't post.