Weird wild duckling

[desertdarlene]

Well, trouble is now much bigger, about the size of a small gadwall. And, he's starting to get his adult gray feathers in, though they, too, don't look quite right. If he survives, we should see what his adult colors will be in about a month.

Here he is after swimming. I wanted to get more photos of him on land, but a larger male duck didn't like him around his female, so he was chased off.





He was hanging out near where people were fishing who also didn't like me talking to him. I hope they left him alone because I really want to see what he looks like. He's going to be gorgeous, I'm betting.

Note some gadwall-like features on him such as the long wings ending at the tail. The gray feathers on the back also appear more gadwall-like. Still not 100% sure if he's a Brewer's duck or some other kind of mixed breed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, trouble is now much bigger, about the size of a small gadwall. And, he's starting to get his adult gray feathers in, though they, too, don't look quite right. If he survives, we should see what his adult colors will be in about a month.

Here he is after swimming. I wanted to get more photos of him on land, but a larger male duck didn't like him around his female, so he was chased off.





He was hanging out near where people were fishing who also didn't like me talking to him. I hope they left him alone because I really want to see what he looks like. He's going to be gorgeous, I'm betting.

Note some gadwall-like features on him such as the long wings ending at the tail. The gray feathers on the back also appear more gadwall-like. Still not 100% sure if he's a Brewer's duck or some other kind of mixed breed.

He's a very pretty duck.

 

[desertdarlene]

Well, I caught Trouble plucking out feathers from his belly making a feather hole. I'm hoping it means better feathers are growing in.



He sure was scruffy looking today. Always grooming and scratching. I see lots of new feathers, so I'm hoping they're going to be better quality. He doesn't mess with his wing feathers, probably because it's harder to pull them out.



I noticed that Trouble is always within earshot of Gaddy, his mother's part-time companion. Here's a photo of Gaddy, just for the fun of it. Don't know why Trouble seems to want to be near him. I'm betting it's because he knew him while he was growing up and considers Gaddy part of his family/flock.



Hmmm, the photos show up in my preview, but not after I publish it.

 

[desertdarlene]

Trouble says "hi" and he's off to do his own thing. Still hanging out near Gaddy the gadwall, but was walking around in a bunch of fishing line at one point which I didn't see until I looked at his photos.

His new feathers are coming in with good quality. He's definitely looking more mallard-y now. Still very small, much smaller than all the other mallards. But, usually I see a growth spurt as the new feathers come in. I can already see that his body has gotten a bit longer than before.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Trouble says "hi" and he's off to do his own thing. Still hanging out near Gaddy the gadwall, but was walking around in a bunch of fishing line at one point which I didn't see until I looked at his photos.

His new feathers are coming in with good quality. He's definitely looking more mallard-y now. Still very small, much smaller than all the other mallards. But, usually I see a growth spurt as the new feathers come in. I can already see that his body has gotten a bit longer than before.

Trouble is adorable and he looks really good. that's a shame people just leave their fishing line laying on the ground for ducks etc to get tangled in.

 

[desertdarlene]

Yeah, I know. We get a lot of ducks around Trouble's age getting their legs tangled up in it. He managed not to get tangled, at least this time. I saw him later and he was far away from the fishing line. I try to pick it up when I see it. But, I didn't see it until I looked at the photos.

 

[desertdarlene]

Here's Trouble today. He's starting to get a green head and is getting MUCH harder to tell him apart from the other mallards, except he's still a bit small and has some weirdness to him. On top of that, I think the local wildlife rescue agency released some more young mallards that look a lot like him.



And, yes, he flies. I also have some video of him, but not of him flying.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Here's Trouble today. He's starting to get a green head and is getting MUCH harder to tell him apart from the other mallards, except he's still a bit small and has some weirdness to him. On top of that, I think the local wildlife rescue agency released some more young mallards that look a lot like him.



And, yes, he flies. I also have some video of him, but not of him flying.

He's grown into a very nice looking drake just took him a while. what are the small ducks swimming close to him?

 

[desertdarlene]

Those are American coots. They migrate here in the thousands during fall and winter. Usually, they're pretty fat, but they're skinny right now because they've been flying a long way.

Trouble still looks "fuzzy" in some areas, but I haven't seen him pulling out feathers lately.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Those are American coots. They migrate here in the thousands during fall and winter. Usually, they're pretty fat, but they're skinny right now because they've been flying a long way.

Trouble still looks "fuzzy" in some areas, but I haven't seen him pulling out feathers lately.

Thanks they are cute. Trouble will be picking out a mate come spring right? it will be interesting to see his off spring next year.