Weird wild duckling

[desertdarlene]

I think they were trying to skip rocks and weren't really noticing that the ducks were in the way.

Yes, I love killdeer and their cute little chicks.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Nothing worse than kids that hurt wildlife...I sure hope it was just an accident...little juvenile delinquents! lol just kidding I'm sure they were just being careless, especially if they were young.

 

[desertdarlene]

Looks like Trouble's round-headed friend has got a steady girl and Trouble's being a third wheel. He keeps getting chased off. He's not acting like he wants the girl for himself, just that he wants to hang out with his buddy.

 

[desertdarlene]

We have a couple new scruffy young mallards this year. Goofball and his brother look a lot like Trouble, but their heads are different. I might have some pictures of them that I will post if anyone wants to see them. Goofball is very friendly.

I haven't seen Trouble or his younger sister, Miss Una lately. Trouble may have lost his scruff, so it could be harder to recognize him. Sometimes scruffy ducks do better the second year. I worry about Miss Una because she liked to run around in the parking lot.

 

[melindalee73]

I just read the whole story about Trouble! Thanks so much for posting. It was great.

 

[desertdarlene]

Thanks! I think I have an updated photo of Trouble, but there are a couple other ducks that look like him, so I'm not sure. I think he has a steady girlfriend now, but he still hangs out with that other male duck sometimes. Trouble may be a dad this year.

 

[sparticus12]

Thanks! I think I have an updated photo of Trouble, but there are a couple other ducks that look like him, so I'm not sure. I think he has a steady girlfriend now, but he still hangs out with that other male duck sometimes. Trouble may be a dad this year.

Yay!!!!!

He will have some adorable babies

 

[desertdarlene]

I think Trouble's mom is a baby stealer. She's been stealing ducklings from her daughter (Trouble's half-sister) as well as several other ducks. She doesn't seem to care if they're not all the same age. That would explain why Trouble was a lot smaller and less developed than the other siblings.

I haven't seen Trouble lately, so I hope he's OK. He's probably spending time with his girl.

 

[desertdarlene]

Troublemaker is still around and hanging out with the same male duck. There's a female in their little group, too, and he does the flirty dance with all the other males. Trouble is still small and sometimes scruffier than the other ducks when he molts, but very strong and healthy. He totally remembers me and stares at me each time he sees me.

 

[desertdarlene]

I think we have another situation like Trouble's. These 2 girls are reaching the 6 week mark, but are the size of 3 weeks old, though the feathering is normal. We have other ducks their age who are much bigger. Maybe Trouble is their father.

I named them Laurel and Hardy. Hopefully the hungry heron won't get them as they're still small enough to be eaten.

I think Trouble may have been one of the two small male ducks that drowned recently about the time these guys were hatched. His friend was seen near one of the bodies. Usually, he comes up to me and give me the "look" and follows me around, but I haven't seen any of the ducks doing that lately.