Last year, I rehab/rescued three baby mallards to adulthood and they left in the fall...returned , left, returned...repeatedly over a few weeks time, until one day they didnt come back. A few days ago, a pair of mallards returned to my yard. Several things make me believe they are the ones I raised- especially because the female went right to the inner run where I keep the food...and they get within two feet of me.
(in hindsight, I wish i would have banded them).
I have a question.
The female is EXTREMELY interested in my ducklings (ducktweens?). They are approx. six weeks old, and joined right in with them while in the yard. This evening, I had my gosling outside- he is about two weeks old, and the female came right up to us, and tried to interact with my gosling. *he was terrified and ran for his life, and hid behind my foot*...
Does her interest mean anything? I have adult ducks in the yard as well. She has been foraging and swimming with them, eating with them, etc. But she has a very increased interest in the young ones. Do you think perhaps she lost her babies?
(in hindsight, I wish i would have banded them).
I have a question.
The female is EXTREMELY interested in my ducklings (ducktweens?). They are approx. six weeks old, and joined right in with them while in the yard. This evening, I had my gosling outside- he is about two weeks old, and the female came right up to us, and tried to interact with my gosling. *he was terrified and ran for his life, and hid behind my foot*...
Does her interest mean anything? I have adult ducks in the yard as well. She has been foraging and swimming with them, eating with them, etc. But she has a very increased interest in the young ones. Do you think perhaps she lost her babies?