Weird wild duckling

[Miss Lydia]

He might. A lot of young drakes won't get to mate because of too much competition or they're less aggressive or desirable to the ladies. With Trouble being so small and scraggly, he may not find a mate, at first. A lot of females don't breed their first year, either.

Will drakes fly to another area of water if they can't get a mate where they were hatched?

 

[desertdarlene]

He might. I've notice unattached males tend to stay near where their buddies are and most ducks like to settle into one area of the lake, except when predators are hunting more in that area. They will also go where there is food. I can't tell what will happen with Trouble because he's all over the place right now and doesn't seem to have long term attachments to any other duck. I think he might be starting to connect back to his brothers or some bachelors his age, but I'm not sure.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He might. I've notice unattached males tend to stay near where their buddies are and most ducks like to settle into one area of the lake, except when predators are hunting more in that area. They will also go where there is food. I can't tell what will happen with Trouble because he's all over the place right now and doesn't seem to have long term attachments to any other duck. I think he might be starting to connect back to his brothers or some bachelors his age, but I'm not sure.

Well it is very interesting to follow along on his journey kinda like watch a Nature show on PBS.

 

[desertdarlene]

Trouble has seem to taken a liking to a couple of drakes his age, possibly his brothers. They are part of a group of about five or six drakes. I almost missed him today until some kids started chasing the ducks around. I also found another very small mallard today, very healthy looking. I think he's migratory because I've never seen such a small drake other than Trouble.

Here's Trouble's pic. The light was not good. I did not see that thing hanging from his bill today, but he did have a feather in his mouth. I think he's pulling feathers again.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Trouble has seem to taken a liking to a couple of drakes his age, possibly his brothers. They are part of a group of about five or six drakes. I almost missed him today until some kids started chasing the ducks around. I also found another very small mallard today, very healthy looking. I think he's migratory because I've never seen such a small drake other than Trouble.

Here's Trouble's pic. The light was not good. I did not see that thing hanging from his bill today, but he did have a feather in his mouth. I think he's pulling feathers again.

Maybe he's molting one of mine had a feather hanging out of her mouth and she is finishing up her molt. that's a pretty pic, doesn't look like Trouble has the tail curl like the other one.

 

[desertdarlene]

He has a curl beginning to form, you can just see it a little. I think he pulls feathers out when new ones come in. Maybe the new ones are itchy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

He has a curl beginning to form, you can just see it a little. I think he pulls feathers out when new ones come in. Maybe the new ones are itchy.

Yep I can see it just barely.

 

[desertdarlene]

I haven't definitely seen Trouble lately, though I haven't looked really hard. Tonight, I saw four very small male mallards, all healthy-looking. One had a small round head and bill like a call duck, two had normal mallard bills and one had a square head and long, concave bill like Trouble does. All had long, crossed wings.

I will try to see if I can find him tomorrow. I'm thinking he probably is off with his male duck friends now and may be fully changed into his adult colors.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I haven't definitely seen Trouble lately, though I haven't looked really hard. Tonight, I saw four very small male mallards, all healthy-looking. One had a small round head and bill like a call duck, two had normal mallard bills and one had a square head and long, concave bill like Trouble does. All had long, crossed wings.

I will try to see if I can find him tomorrow. I'm thinking he probably is off with his male duck friends now and may be fully changed into his adult colors.

Well it's a nice feeling to know he has come so far and has buddies to hang with.

 

[desertdarlene]

I didn't see him today and only one duck had any transition feathering and he's much bigger than Trouble. I'll try to get a picture of the small square-headed duck if I see him again.