AboutWalter Hintz Expertise I can answer questions about both vertebrate and invertebrate zoology. I am an expert in animal behavior, especially birds.
Experience I have taught for over 50 years. I teach college biology courses and I have led tours to the Galapagos Islands and the Belize rain forest
Expert: Walter Hintz Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: Tame North American Wood Duck
Question Walter,
A little over two months ago my fiance found an abandoned North American Wood Duck hatchling in the field at the farm where she works. We have raised the the duck sucessfully in our home and it is very happy, healthy, and tame. She is so tame infact that we are afraid to let her go into the wild. We do a lot of outdoor activities such as landscaping, boating, swimming etc. She follows us around every where we go. We have taken her to family functions upon request where there are twenty or more people with chlidren and dogs and she is very comfortable. She can be picked up easily and likes to be petted. She will even tug on your pant leg to let you know that she wants something. She is growing up fast and we have a small home without a body of water. We are looking for a good safe home for her where she could be treated as a pet. We contacted the Missouri Department of Conservation to see if they were interested in her, but they said to let her go and let nature take its course. I however think that is a bad idea since she is not afraid of people or dogs. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or if you or someone you know would be interested. Thank you, Eric
Answer Hi eric:
Since this duck is only two months old I believe that she could survive in a watery area if there are other wood ducks present. I must agree with the wildlife officials but only if you release her in an that is not close to a lot of people and only if there are wood ducks there.
The other alternative is to keep her longer. She may take off on her own eventually.
