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Question
I live in the country and while sitting around our pool a young duck showed up on the lawn. It is a Mallard and cannot yet fly. It was crying out but I could not find it's mother. I have put it in a cage outside with water. What do I do? I couldn't just leave it to fend for itself. I have put a bowl of water, I don't know what to feed it. Can you help me.
The best thing to do is leave it alone; its mother might yet be around. But if you are absolutely sure she is not, you can feed it duck chow from your local feed store. But let it go - do not keep it in a cage. If it is hungry it will take your food. No need to put it in a cage. Besides, capturing wild birds is illegal and it makes them tame so they cannot survive in wild. Thanks for your concern.
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Answers by Expert:
Roger Lederer
Expertise
Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.
Experience
Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.
Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico
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