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About Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Expertise
I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience
I have had a 100 nestbox trail for more than 10 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year. Organizations Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance Publications Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News, etc. Education/Credentials Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer. Awards and Honors Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention. Past/Present Clients Many

You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Birding/Wild Birds > Birding > Mallard Duck nest

Topic: Birding

Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Date: 5/8/2008
Subject: Mallard Duck nest

Question
I live in mid-Michigan and a mallard dust has nest of 12 eggs in our back yard. I believe last night she was attacked, possibly killed, feathers everywhere around the nest, but all eggs are still in tact. Is it too late for me to save the 12 untouched eggs? We have a make-shift fence around the nest hoping to avoid an racoon, possum attack. Is it too late, the eggs have not been covered since 1am last night, it's now almost 18 hours later. Is it hopeless to save the eggs?

Answer
I believe it will depend on what stage of incubation they are. Bear in mind that raising wild babies from eggs successfully is an almost impossible task. There is feeding,training to forage snd how to avoid predators, and worst of all, if you feed them they will bond to you which messes up their relationships with others of their kind if you try to let them go back to the wild.

You might get them to hatch if you can find someone in your area who is incubating chicken or domestic duck or goose eggs, or if you can find several other wild duck nests and slip a few eggs into each.

My honest advice is to destroy them rather than disturbing nature. This happens all the time, and is part of the balance of nature.

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