It’s duckling season again! May 27 was our first duckling sighting in the park this year, when we saw this mom Wood Duck with two ducklings.
Since then, we’ve seen what is either a very large family or a day care situation. 13 ducklings with one adult!
And this mallard mom with 5 ducklings
This weekend is the Puerto Rican festival in our neighborhood and I hope all of the ducks have their little ear protectors on and enjoy the festivities. It’s pretty loud!
Taking care of ducklings is an enormous responsibility! Everything depends on duckling cooperation like staying close and following. The parent duck can’t reach out and grab them, and she can’t pick them up in her mouth like some mammals do. Pretty amazing. I can’t imagine taking care of 13 small children with no way to grab hold of them.
Can’t agree more! I found out later that the large family above may be American Coots rather than Wood Ducks, my original bird ID.