Expert: Roger Lederer - 1/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I live in Northwest Illinos, and there is a duck pond in front on my house. Once it started snowing and getting really cold, I noticed the ducks were gone. Probably migrating to somewhere warmer, I assumed. I was surprised to see a duck walking on the snowy pond last week, then very upset this morning when I saw the same duck dead in the middle of the pond. Why would it not have migrated with the others? I think it may have been the only surviving duckling of a group of 4; does that have anything to do with why he was left behind? I also fed the ducks during the summer months, and am hoping that wouldn't have had anything to do with this. Did my feeding somehow lead this poor little guy to be unable to fend for himself? Ever since I saw the little guy lifeless on the pond, I've been very saddened and now want to learn more about these animals.

ANSWER: Well, you are only referring to one duck that died and since the mortality of ducks is pretty high in the winter, this is not a sign of anything. The bird could have been ill or attacked by a predator, etc. Lots of ducks and geese are able to survive a snowy winter, but lots do not. So I can't say exactly what happened to this one. Don't think it is your fault, though.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt response. Any insight as to why it may not have migrated with the others, other than it being ill? I thought ducks traveled in groups. Could this one have been rejected by the "flock" that left, or merely just opted to remain alone since it didn't really have a "family?" I often saw it swimming alone in the pond (as a young duck, the only survivor of 4 ducklings, assuming it's the same one), separate from the others even though there were plenty of other ducks in the pond. Do some ducks remain alone? Last question, I promise. Just trying to learn more about them, especially since the last two years, a duck has laid her eggs near our driveway.

Answer
As I said, I can't guess why this particular duck didn't migrate with the others. The flock will not reject it, family or no family. Some birds just wander off from the main flock. It may be illness, a congenital problem, an injury, a mutation, or who knows what. Many birds of many species get lost during migration south or north - a very high mortality rate. When humans observe a bird dying they think it is unusual when it is very commom. Strange behavior is especially true with domestic or semi-domestic ducks that live in farm ponds, etc.
I'm happy to answer all your questions the best I can, so fire away if you have more.