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Waterfowl ID help

Discussion

6 replies
Posted by Peter Conway on July 18, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Waterfowl ID help
These two were swimming in the creek that runs through my farm today. They were alone and very skittish.

thanks in advance.

Peter
Posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 19, 2009 at 12:44 AM
where is your farm - that would help!

Chicks of something..

Sandy r
Posted by Peter Conway on July 19, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Hi Sandy, Yes I sure should have added location. :smile:

This was taken in SE Minnesota. I watched them swim along upstream for perhaps a block as they negotiated a small riffles and then went out of sight around a bend. They did eat by plucking at grasses along the way. They are much too young to fly and I was surprised they would be on there own already, but I don't know at what age waterfowl leave their chicks.
Posted by Peter Conway on July 19, 2009 at 9:52 AM
Here is another view of a chick.
Posted by Greg Cope on July 19, 2009 at 2:01 PM
My guess would be they are Wood Duck Chicks.
Posted by Peter Conway on July 19, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Greg, Thanks, I am almost positive that they are indeed Wood Ducks. Does anyone know if it is normal for them to be alone at this age? It would seem their chances for survival are slim to none. Between the Herons, Raccoon, Coyotes, and Raptors it has to be tough.

Posted by Jim DeWitt on July 19, 2009 at 2:15 PM
The bill is inverted from what I'd expect for a Wood Duck, but the face pattern is classic for the species. The tip of the bill should be dark...

According to BNA, Wood Duck fledglings only stay with mom for an average of 31 days in MN. The female then typically has a second clutch of eggs.