Weird wild duckling

[desertdarlene]

I agree, he looks pretty poor. We had a duckling dumped at the lake in the same condition last year at about the same age and he looks pretty good now. He looked horrible for months before, though.

I don't know what could be causing his poor condition. He eats the same things the other ducklings do. I think he is or might have been having a mite problem because he always was scratching and grooming. He was fine today, though. I only saw him scratch a couple of times. It could also be due to all the pin feathers I see on him. He's got a LOT of newly forming feathers on him.

He does like to run around like he has the zoomies and when he flaps his wings, it's a really strong flap. But, yes, something is wrong with him.

 

[desertdarlene]

Still growing. He still has a light belly:



Here he is stretching:



His big brother is giving him shade:



I had to babysit him a little. Two juvenile Cooper's hawks were attacking everything around the area today and he wasn't paying attention. Mom was watching, but didn't seem concerned. The hawks were more interested in attacking crows and squirrels, it seems. One even flew by them and didn't even notice them. The hawks ignored the pigeons, too. Trouble walked up to me and sat really close. The family left when I left.

The family is breaking up and two of the female ducklings are gone. But, mama duck still stays close to Trouble, so far. I'm worried she might abandon him too soon.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Awwww DD. I have no words right now

 

[desertdarlene]

I'm hoping his brother will stay at his side and look out for him if his mom doesn't.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I hope so too. What a story!

 

[desertdarlene]

This morning, he was all alone swimming along and eating algae. He seemed perfectly happy. His mom and siblings were in the area, but not close.

One thing I've noticed is that all the other ducks and wildlife, such as the grebes, actually seem to either like him or don't think he's a threat. I never seen anyone show aggression to him except his sister that one time.

 

[Frank Phinster]

I don't know what could be causing his poor condition. He eats the same things the other ducklings do. I think he is or might have been having a mite problem because he always was scratching and grooming. He was fine today, though. I only saw him scratch a couple of times. It could also be due to all the pin feathers I see on him. He's got a LOT of newly forming feathers on him.

Might be that his metabolism is out of order, or the excretion of growth factor hormones is not the way it is supposed to be.

Sooner or later, his brother might follow his sisters and take off, but maybe the runt will have fully matured till then. As long as he keeps growing, his plumage developing and is still active, there is still a chance for him.

 

[desertdarlene]

He was all by himself today, his brother wasn't with him. I think his mom tried calling to him, but he ignored it. His two brothers were close by and I'm sure he was able to find the family if he needed. He thinks he's a grown duck.

 

[desertdarlene]

Well, it looks like Trouble isn't a Brewer's duck because he's getting blue speculums. Brewer's ducks have green speculums. So, he's just a runty mallard, it looks like.



And, it looks like he's been growing! Here he is next to what I think is his mom or sister:



I might not be able to update again for another week. He's changing so much that I'm actually having a hard time recognizing him. If he grows much more, I may not be able to differentiate him from the other young ducks in the area.

 

[KelC0308]

He sure is beautiful