Ducks disappearing

[KentuckyDuckMomma]

i had a drake go missing yesterday and this would be the 3rd duck to do this (2 went missing last summer on the same day and all I ever found was one feather, nothing else).

We cannot figure out what is going on. Yes we have hawks, foxes, raccoons. I’ve seen a fox attack and it’s not the same. It’s like he just walked off and he would never do that.
No feathers, no signs of struggle, my other ducks act totally normal, no blood. I’ve walked around my entire property and there’s not a single thing. I even checked the road to see if he’s been ran over and nothing. This duck is pretty hefty so I know if it was an animal attack, there would be signs. This drake sticks to one female pretty close so I know he wouldn’t just leave her.

Has anyone had something like this?

 

[kaumlauf]

An eagle could take a duck without leaving a trace. Sorry for your loss.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Do you have large cats? I had a mountain lion take a massive muscovy drake without so much as a feather being left behind

 

[KentuckyDuckMomma]

Do you have large cats? I had a mountain lion take a massive muscovy drake without so much as a feather being left behind

No, most we have is bobcats but we hardly EVER see them

 

[KathiQuacks]

So sorry for your losses.

I’d guess not raccoon, as I’ve heard they like to kill and leave bodies behind. Also not hawk, as there would be many feathers and likely also a body.

The previous owners had a bobcat come by and take their ducks for a few months. Snatched them right off the pond. I think the only indicator was them actually seeing the bobcat on the property a couple times.

I also had a duck go missing ~1 year ago, with the only indicator being a hole in the side of the run. No feathers or anything. Never did find out what predator it was, but I always figured coyote.