Duck walking small steps, gait seems off

[Miss Lydia]

That is great news about gimpy not being gimpy any longer!!

I am pretty sure they are right about them flying off they have that built into them when seasons change. But don't be surprised if one or 2 shows back up next spring after all they got the red carpet treatment there. You all were wonderful to do what you have done for these Mallards. Bless you All. Let us know when they leave.

 

[CameronsMom814]

They are constantly flapping so looks like they are getting ready. And we've notice mama is leaving more often, as in "Come follow me!" I'm attaching a couple videos here. The first one is of one of our 'babies' doing this today. Just opening & closing the beak as if peeping, but no sound. Just opening and closing. I thought perhaps it's because of the heat. But it was as the sun was setting, so not nearly as hot as earlier. Have you seen this before? Any idea what's going on there?

And the second video is dinner time. "Gimpy" is first to the pan, so you can see how good she's waddling. Interesting with this video is I didn't notice as I started recording, but mama had flown off at the time I brought their tray out. So while some came and ate, one stood guard which is what mama usually does when they're eating. Apparently one has become the watchman while mama is gone. Mama came back shortly after and then they came and ate. They're just so fun! We're really going to miss them. And my goodness if they come back to lay eggs again, I might be asking you how to relocate the nest

Thank you for your kind words. I'll keep you posted on the launch.

Mallard opening and closing beak
Dinner time!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They look great!! The one that was standing guard could be a drake. My Runner drakes stand guard while their females are eating.

The opening and closing of the bill looks like panting to me. When they are hot they pant just like a dog.

 

[CameronsMom814]

They are constantly flapping so looks like they are getting ready. And we've notice mama is leaving more often, as in "Come follow me!" I'm attaching a couple videos here. The first one is of one of our 'babies' doing this today. Just opening & closing the beak as if peeping, but no sound. Just opening and closing. I thought perhaps it's because of the heat. But it was as the sun was setting, so not nearly as hot as earlier. Have you seen this before? Any idea what's going on there?

And the second video is dinner time. "Gimpy" is first to the pan, so you can see how good she's waddling. Interesting with this video is I didn't notice as I started recording, but mama had flown off at the time I brought their tray out. So while some came and ate, one stood guard which is what mama usually does when they're eating. Apparently one has become the watchman while mama is gone. Mama came back shortly after and then they came and ate. They're just so fun! We're really going to miss them. And my goodness if they come back to lay eggs again, I might be asking you how to relocate the nest

Thank you for your kind words. I'll keep you posted on the launch.

Mallard opening and closing beak
Dinner time!

They look great!! The one that was standing guard could be a drake. My Runner drakes stand guard while their females are eating.

The opening and closing of the bill looks like panting to me. When they are hot they pant just like a dog.

I figured that might be panting. Although our duck pond, a.k.a. swimming pool, is shaded from about 2PM and on. However, it is hot here in Texas!

So happy Gimpy is looking better. I think that one might be a female. We think that two of them are males because they look darker.

Oh also, they started letting out random quacks. Before it's only been peeping. They're getting so big!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quacks means female, raspy voice is drake

 

[CameronsMom814]

Quacks means female, raspy voice is drake

I'll have to listen for that next time. Thank you!

 

[CameronsMom814]

Peepers Update: First we had another adult female join our flock party for a couple days. Tuen, her and mama flew away and have never returned. Then Gimpy flew away! We're left with these three. They are flying distances across the yard, and from the deck to the pool. I supposed they'll be leaving us soon as well. But everyone is healthy, and happy. And we've been so blessed to enjoy God's creatures for almost 3 months. I'll give another update with whatever happens next.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What a beautiful pool and the ducks are gorgeous too. I guess it won’t be long now till you’ll be empty nesters!!

 

[CameronsMom814]

Well, I'm sad to say that our ducks got spooked this afternoon. Possibly a hawk swooped down low, not sure. But out of our three, our two males flew away and now we have one remaining female. She began quacking hysterically, so my husband and I ran outside to see what was going on. We both searched the neighborhood for the two who flew off. We spotted them, and I was even close to one of them who started to follow me back home. But instead he chose to fly away. So now we have one lone little female. She keeps quacking, hoping they'll come back. It's so sad. But I know it is nature calling. . So sad for the lone duckling.

Quack for departed siblings

Chomping on a locust

 

[Miss Lydia]

At least she hasn't lost her appetite. They maybe gone for good if they didn't come back before dark. She'll get lonely and probably leave too. Do you have a body of water close by? I hope they all survive.