what's getting my neighbor's ducks?

[Chickenlover720]

For a little context, I live in west central Indiana near Terre Haute, IN. My neighbors recently got ducks within the last year (all four of which ended up being male lol). Three of the four ducks have now completely disappeared with no trace. We obviously know they have been taken by something but we do not know what. First was the Pekin, then the Cayuga, and finally one of the two Runners. They believe that they have been taken around dusk before they put them up for the night. We believe it to be some type of bird as there have been no signs of a raccoon or coyote attack. There are two bald eagles that we've seen less than a quarter of a mile away from our houses. There are also owls that live in the woods around the houses and a small hay field between those woods and yard. I also have seen numerous hawks and buzzards flying around in the field.
What are your thoughts on what may be getting the ducks? I am also worried that whatever is getting their ducks may also start targeting my chickens as there is only the small hay field separating our yards and my chickens free range quite a bit.
Sorry for the long post but I'd love to hear your feedback.

 

[Wezdin]

Not sure what is getting them but i can tell you it was not a buzzard, they don't eat live things.

 

[Chickenlover720]

Not sure what is getting them but i can tell you it was not a buzzard, they don't eat live things.

That's what I thought but I figured I'd stay open to any possibilities.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Probably a fox or coyote. A Pekin is a little big for a fox to haul off but they can definitely do it and it would be no problem for a coyote.

 

[50-45-1]

Is there a body of water nearby or stream?
It may be a mink.

 

[Chickenlover720]

Probably a fox or coyote. A Pekin is a little big for a fox to haul off but they can definitely do it and it would be no problem for a coyote.

Is there a body of water nearby or stream?
It may be a mink.

What's peculiar is that there has been no feathers, blood or any sort of that kind of disturbance. They just dissapear as if they were picked up and carried away.
There is a creek nearby but we frequent it often and have never seen any signs of a mink.
Not ruling any of these out entirely but it just seems odd that there's no evidence.

 

[50-45-1]

Well, you wont necessarily see evidence of a mink.
They are very stelthy.
IF the ducks were in the stream, the mink could pull them under and take them where ever he lives. No evidence then.
If those ducks are free range it could be almost anything. Even a human collecting ducks!

 

[roosterhavoc]

What's peculiar is that there has been no feathers, blood or any sort of that kind of disturbance. They just dissapear as if they were picked up and carried away.
There is a creek nearby but we frequent it often and have never seen any signs of a mink.
Not ruling any of these out entirely but it just seems odd that there's no evidence.

A mink ain’t hauling away a duck without making a mess and leaving sign. When they disappear without a trace it’s almost always a canine. Gray fox, red fox or coyote.