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You are here: Experts > Science > Biology > Zoology > Duck release
Zoology - Duck release
Expert: Walter Hintz - 11/6/2009
Question
Hello Walter,
About nine weeks ago I came across two abandoned part black duck/mallard chicks. I bought them home to rear until they were fully feathered. I did not want to clip their feathers in case of the need to fly. They both would go for a brief fly every morning when I let them out of their enclosure & land back home until one day one (Duck #1) did not come home. The next day I found it swimming in a large dam a short distance from our home with a small number of other water fowl species, it had spent the entire night & day there quite happily.
Now this is the hard part. As my two ducks were very close to each other I decided to release the other one (Duck #2) in to the dam as well, at this point Duck #1 was very happy to see his mate Duck #2 at the dam, however I did notice that Duck #2 was a bit reluctant to join Duck #1 in the dam, but eventually did. I spent the next hour observing the ducks flying around, swimming & generally appeared to be having a good time. I really thought they would stay in the dam overnight as Duck #1 did.
I observed that Duck #2 was a bit keen to stay close to me but I left them close to dark & returned home without them knowing. The next morning I left early to check on them about (less than 1000 metres distance away) however on arrival I noticed Duck #2 was missing & Duck #1 seemed to be calling out for his mate & even swam over to me to see if I bought him back again.
My question is what do you think may have happened?
I have been feeling awful for the last 6 days thinking of the worst case scenario of Duck #2 probably trying to come back home & getting lost during the night I left them. I consider both these ducks as my babies & I cant help but think that I let my little mate down by not being there for him/or her, especially when I noticed how reluctant it was at first to swim in the dam.
The dam contains other waterfowl (other ducks & water birds) & there are no known predators in the area apart from a few cats. It really seemed the perfect place for them to be released.
My ducks appeared to be the biggest ducks in the dam & could easily defend themself from other ducks. They also seemed to be well adapted in eating the abundant bugs & plant material.
We are located in the Southwest region of Western Australia, where it is illegal to hunt ducks. There are a large number of other dams & water holes in the local area in close proximity to each other covering large distances again with other water fowl inhabiting them. It does seem to be a haven for waterfowl.
Are ducks known to try & find their way home & become lost?
At the time I felt it was the right decision, however I am beginning to think it was a stupid idea.
To this day 7 days later Duck #1 is still there & has befriended with other ducks, I just wish the other one was there to experience a good life.
I will appeciate any opinions relating to the most likely scenario on this issue.
Thankyou for your time,
John.
Answer
Hi John
These ducks are wild animals guided by their heredity makeup and not by your actions. You bear no responsibility for the loss of a duck so stop beating yourself up over it. I do understand your concern however. They also have built-in navigation. I am sure Duck #2 would be able to return home such a short distance.
Now I am not cognizant about ducks in Australia. I live in Ohio USA where waterfowl,,, unless raised on a farm ,fly south in the winter. Are they migratory there?
My initial thought is that Duck # 2 which has been somewhat domesticated has fallen prey to a predator. Where there waterfowl there must be hawks. I know that there are Peregrine falcons in Western Australia. Is there a possibility there are snapping turtles in this body of water.
Sorry I cannot help you more.
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