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Birding/duck eggs
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Question
I have a duck in my yard who's been on her nest for 2-3 weeks. In the last 2 nights by morning I have found eggs removed from her nest. My question is do mother ducks pick out bad eggs or know they can not raise the 15 or so eggs? I'm not seeing her do it or am I see any cridder come around. any Idea ? thanks
No, ducks do not pick out bad eggs and don't pick out eggs they find too much to raise. I suspect what you mean by "cridder" is "critter" which means a raccoon or opossum or squirrel or something and that's what I think happened. In fact, I can't think of any other possibility.
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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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