Rescuing mallard duckling

[L_259]

Hi,

I have a question about Zazu’s pecking/nuzzling. Every morning she wants cuddles and will hop onto my lap whilst I’m having a coffee.

She would then nuzzle at my neck and play with my necklace but there was no pecking. Recently however she’s been been pecking and pulling at my skin. At one point she bruised my neck with one of her pecks. Had to explain to friends that my duck pecked me a bit too hard

When she does this, I would gently push her beak away. I’m not sure if she thinks it’s a game because then she’d go in more aggressively, wag her tail and chirp.

Is there a way to keep giving her cuddles without the pecking or should I stop with the cuddles?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@Miss Lydia?

 

[L_259]

Update on Zazu

This afternoon she was out foraging on the front lawn when I had to pop into the house. I was gone for less than a minute and when I went back out, she was gone.

I spent about 5 mins running around our property and out on the road to try and find her. As I was calling out her name, I eventually heard her distress quacking coming from the neighbours yard. She had flown over our house and across the property (about half an acre) and wasn’t able to fly back.

I kept calling her name and she would respond with her quacks. My sister went down and was able to retrieve her. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt and was glad to be back.

The past couple of days she’s been getting better with her flying. Yesterday she managed to fly from our front yard to the house but wasn’t able to stick the landing and ended up smacking into the house.

So, I guess it won’t be long before she becomes more confident in her flying and ends up leaving us. Will definitely be a bittersweet moment.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sadness! But ... maybe she'll come back!

 

[L_259]

Sadness! But ... maybe she'll come back!

I hope we get to see her again once she leaves. Fingers crossed! She’s been extremely affectionate and hasn’t wanted to leave my side since she came back from her little getaway. I wonder if something spooked her

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I jope she does too! She is imprinted on you and vrry bonded to you so I expect shhe will .

 

[L_259]

Update on Zazu

Today my dad visited and she was delighted to be following someone around the garden. Every time he would dig a hole, Zazu would jump in looking for worms. We would turn around to plant new flowers only to find Zazu eating the others

Yesterday she flew to the neighbours across from us so we’ve been vigilant in keeping the gates closed. Now, she’ll take off flying to the gate, land, and will waddle onto the front lawn.

 

[Miss Lydia]

ZaZu is adorable

 

[L_259]

Good morning

I was wondering if this is Zazu being territorial or playful? We had a little bird visit and at first Zazu paid it no mind. The bird was eating Zazu’s food and going up close to her.

Eventually Zazu started to chase her around, but not pecking at the bird. She would also flap her wings. Other times the bird would be eating the food and Zazu would be drinking her water, completely ignoring the bird.

I was getting ready to jump in just in case the bird got injured but it eventually flew away after eating.

Here are some photos.