Expert: Roger Lederer - 5/19/2009

Question
After hatching her 12 ducklings in the poolside shrubbery, the mother led them to the pool, and modeled how to get in and out.  They all paddled for a while and then got out and returned to the nest.  Later in the day there were only 7 in the pool, no mother in sight.  The following morning, all 7, plus mother, were swimming and practicing their pool exit technique.  They retired to the nest after a bit.  Later in the day I noticed they were gone. Totally. No signs of struggle, nor dead ducklings.  My yard is contained with a 6ft solid privacy fence. I'm wondering how they left.  Can/do wild ducks transport their young by flying with them on their backs?  I've only known of the 'walk behind' method, but without predators, I'm wondering what likely happened to the family.

Answer
Mother ducks (or any birds, for that matter), cannot transport young on their backs and fly off. Without seeing the area, but assuming they cannot get out without flying, I can only surmise the most likely explanation - one or more predators. A six foot fence is nothing to a raccoon, opossum, cat, hawk, or something else.