Question regarding muscovy mating-- can a duck be confused?

[Lugh]

In a nutshell, I hatched two muscovies from an abandoned nest and they are both approaching 4 months old. They are pretty much the same size at this stage and, due to the fact that they are nearly the size of an adult hen at this point, figured that they are both males.

Today, while swimming in the lake behind our house, one of my fledglings ran afoul of one of the adult drakes in the area. The drake mounted my fledgling in the water and seemed to be mating with it, submerging it completely underneath it and pushing its head down. With a well-placed small stone throw to the head (nice shot!), I was able to get the drake off of my terrified fledgling.

Now, to the gender question. I am reasonably sure that my fledglings are both male, but I have been known to be wrong on the rare occasion, heh. I am wondering whether that drake knows something I don't, whether this might have been a dominance thing, or whether he was simply confused given the fact that my fledgling is about the size of a mature hen. Thoughts?

 

[Miss Lydia]

In a nutshell, I hatched two muscovies from an abandoned nest and they are both approaching 4 months old. They are pretty much the same size at this stage and, due to the fact that they are nearly the size of an adult hen at this point, figured that they are both males.

Today, while swimming in the lake behind our house, one of my fledglings ran afoul of one of the adult drakes in the area. The drake mounted my fledgling in the water and seemed to be mating with it, submerging it completely underneath it and pushing its head down. With a well-placed small stone throw to the head (nice shot!), I was able to get the drake off of my terrified fledgling.

Now, to the gender question. I am reasonably sure that my fledglings are both male, but I have been known to be wrong on the rare occasion, heh. I am wondering whether that drake knows something I don't, whether this might have been a dominance thing, or whether he was simply confused given the fact that my fledgling is about the size of a mature hen. Thoughts?

Some drakes are just pains in the bottom[being nice here] I think I'd not chance another encounter with this drake or any other till your ducklings are at least 5 months old. then if they are female they will be mating age. Drakes are known to try and mate other drakes and it can be dominance or just plain hormonal but don't take the chance and get a duckling drowned.

 

[Lugh]

I would hate to keep them cooped up for another month or so. You actually think he could have drowned my duck?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I would hate to keep them cooped up for another month or so. You actually think he could have drowned my duck?

Yes a large drake could drown a young inexperienced duck. By cooping do you mean in a pen ? they may not like it as well as their freedom but they will stay alive. Up to you in the end.