Birding/Duck behavior

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Expert: - 5/25/2006


Question
This morning two ducks ( probably mallards) circled over my house for about half an hour(lake front property) and much higher than they usualy do when they fly over the water. They seemed very nervous and where very vocal. I have other birds around my yard (geese, ducks, chickens) all seemed quiet. I have never witnessed that behavior before. Could it be that something was disturbing their nest?

Answer
This is a hard question to answer as I don't know the particular situation, the kind of birds that flew over, and whether you are talking about the behavior of the flying birds or the birds on the ground. Could be a variety of explanations but I'm afraid I can't give you a specific answer from your question. Roger  Lederer at Ornithology.com

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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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