Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/7/2009

Question
I have had 2 mallard ducks living in my above ground pool and yard for at least 2 weeks.  I haven't found any nests and figured they would leave when I opened the pool.  HOWEVER, today I noticed a strange noise that I tracked to my living room a/c vent in the ceiling. It sounded like weak animal sounds/quacking. At the other end of the room I noticed feathers coming out of that vent.  Luckily I have not had the a/c running. I am waiting for someone to come and investigate but it seems like there are at least 2 ducks up there maybe stuck in the a/c vents.Although I here sounds from different rooms at different times. The 2 that I have been seeing are still around so could they have nested in my attic?  I thought they stayed on the ground. I'll know more when we get whatever's up there.  I'm waiting for my nephew to come over.

Answer
I don't know how mallards could possible get into an A/C vent unless you have some large openings in it or the ductwork. But I don't know what your system looks like. The feathers may or may not be mallard feathers and the sounds you hear may or may not be mallards. I've had woodpeckers in my attic frequently and although they never get in the ductwork, I can hear them and find their feathers occasionally. Let me know what you find out.