What are these? Abandoned ducklings! Help!

[DuckinMadHouse]

Thank you very much for all the advice and responses! I really appreciate it!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

To me they look more like wood duck ducklings.

So neat! Love learning from yall!

Those are wood ducks for sure ! 100% Wood ducks ! See the tip on the beak is red color not present in mallards .

So informative!


Are these protected under the migratory bird treaty? Do the same laws apply? That'd be awesome if they're not and @DuckinMadHouse can keep them ! I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Wood Ducks

 

[swampfox440]

So neat! Love learning from yall!

So informative!


Are these protected under the migratory bird treaty? Do the same laws apply? That'd be awesome if not! I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Wood Ducks

I live in Ohio and have to have a permit to have them but every state is different .

 

[swampfox440]

These photos you have taken are good . I can tell they are over 2 days old because the egg tooth has dropped off and they have jumped .

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I live in Ohio and have to have a permit to have them but every state is different .

If you've got a permit, I'm guessing you have some amazing beauties on your property

It's so crazy how the different breeds look so similar as hatchlings. Thank you for that identification tip @swampfox440
They look similar to my gray call ducklings and my Australian Spotted duckling. It's absolutely wild how different they'll end up looking as adults

 

[swampfox440]

Merry Christmas . Nice find

 

[HeatherKellyB]

The more I think about it, I'm guessing the hatchling look is nature's way of saying "why mess with camouflaging down on ducklings whenever it's already been perfected". Of course genetics probably has a lot to do with it too, but my little mind tends to try to make things easy for me to understand

 

[Miss Lydia]

Carolina waterfowl rescue outside of Charlotte.

 

[swampfox440]

Wow ! @HeatherKellyB , you have a lot of spices of ducks, I just noticed on your signature . I only raise wild ducks . Mallard and wood ducks , I had a lot more wild species in the past but all my breeders died off over the years of old age . I also have three Mute Swans and my chicken flock . Thinking about getting some young pairs in the fall . If you need anything @DuckinMadHouse give me a yell .

 

[Miss Lydia]

Love to see some pics @swampfox440
How bout a new thread with pics of your birds.