Muscovy Ducklings Rescued At B.B. Clarke Beach In Madison
A rescue mission took place Monday afternoon at a Madison beach when six Muscovy ducklings that are native to Peru were captured by Four Lakes Wildlife Center. The agency has knowledgeable staff that will insure the ducklings continue to grow in a healthy environment. The ducklings would not have survived the cold Wisconsin winter weather that is just around the corner.
The ducklings after being surrounded by fencing on Madison beach.
How the ducklings, which are suited for the warm Amazon River region in South America, ever found their way to B.B. Clarke Beach is the heart-breaking part to this story. When James and I discovered the ducklings five weeks ago we were able to tell at once they were homeless and without a parent.
Ducklings at end of September chirp for their food.
In early October I was hoping for Indian summer to allow these guys perfect weather in which to grow. We sure were blessed with ideal weather, and they did grow, but it was also apparent they were not fully maturing at the rate to match the change in seasons.
It was only this past weekend we discovered they were Muscovy ducklings, and will only reach full maturity early next spring. Up until about a week ago we thought them to be some native type of duck species. A larger one for sure, but yet we thought native to the area.
My favorite of the group, like all the rest, soon was eating out of my hand at meal time.
That someone dumped the ducklings near the beach area is not in dispute. According to wildlife specialists there is no way that these ducklings were born in the wild. The same way a turtle gets onto a fence post is the same way these precious ducklings found their way to Lake Monona. That to me is absolutely unconscionable. Whomever dropped them off knew full well they would not be able to survive on their own.
From the start I have fed the ducklings at least twice a day, and often three times. Within days the ducklings were coming towards me at a waddling gallop when they heard me call for them. James would make sure the other mallard ducks were kept away during feeding time so the young ones would not feel threatened, or have their food consumed by others. In time it was obvious they knew we had their interests at heart, and they trusted us.
I fell in love with this clutch of ducklings and was determined that they would reach maturity.
With the kind and thoughtful advice of Lynn Lee, former duck owner and neighborhood resident, I learned what food was best for the clutch. Soon I was purchasing fifty-pound bags of duck feed, with the running joke as the ducklings headed for the lake to drink after eating, “What? You could not have brought a little gravy along?” Poultry food is dry!
At the start there were eight of them. Within a short time one disappeared. A second one had a leg issue that Lee assisted us with by taking the duckling to the Humane Society.
This injured duckling has since recuperated.
The leg just required some stress-free time, and the duckling has since recuperated and will be rejoining her siblings which were rescued today. I think this reunion part of the story is just beautiful.
That there is a happy ending to this whole story is something for which I am most grateful. I was prepared to do pretty much whatever it took to see them survive. Over the weeks both the Humane Society and Animal Control have been great listeners and provided sound advice. My sincere thanks to these agencies for caring about animals on a daily basis.
But when it turned chilly and wet this weekend I reached out to the Four Lakes Wildlife Center and stressed that something needed to be done sooner rather than later.
One of their professional and big-hearted staff, Patrick, told me that he would be happy to help out and see that they were picked up from the beach and provided with the right living conditions on his farm.
Patrick ushers the ducklings into a transportation pen.
In the near future as the holidays approach and people reach out in an attempt to make the world a better place I will be reminding folks of the truly caring workers at Four Lakes Wildlife Center. It is because of them that this story has a happy ending.
Off to a new and better home. Goodbye little fellas.
Here’s a good website for all things birds (wild ones). It includes interesting information about wild Muscovy ducks, along with several photos.
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1010/overview/Muscovy_Duck.aspx
We often hear about released or escaped birds. Thanks for taking care of these.
Your story was really touching, Gregory. You and James are to be commended for your care–of so MANY sentient beings who have benefited from your help. I trust Albert still appreciates this, as well.
Surprisingly these guys would be able to survive a Wisconsin winter outside provided 1) Shelter from the wind and 2) Human-provided food, food from the wild would not be enough. I know as we had them in Iowa for 15 years.
These are feral domestics (well not that feral obviously). Wild birds are found from Argentina to extreme south Texas. The wild or domestic version (bigger with various color mutants) have less fat than even a domestic mallard like a Pekin and restaurants will advertise them as “low-fat duck”. Great fun to watch their antics and great insect eaters on the farm etc. No egg-strains have been developed.
A couple of chocolate color mutants there, both female. One has one white gene which yields haphazard white feather areas. These guys were obviously raised by people or you would not be able to hold the choc/white like that. Imprinting is not a problem since it occurs within the first few days after hatching. If hatched in an incubator they would have imprinted on themselves.
No problem with flying, it will come naturally. They don’t migrate like mallards though, but in the wild might fly to other nearby areas if food scarce. Domestic muscovy ducks are known for flying around but not away. You leave them at a lake and there they will stay. Born at a farm? Will stay for life pretty much. The joke amongst people who raise them as showbirds is that if your bird can fly then it isn’t heavy enough to win. Surprisingly however, if denied swimming while young ducks might abhor water as adults.
If hungry enough they will eat just about anything. Commercial duck food is fine but cat/dog food is fine also (smaller the better). Its mostly a matter of getting them used to eating it. Change the shape and they might decide no way jose what’s that it not the proper shape I want amphibious landing craft shape consarn it (apologies to John Cleese).
Always remember, Muscovies rule, Mallards drool!
You have a good heart . The ducks will always remember you; hope you can continue to have a relationship with them. They are beautiful as well as cute. They are so cute my teeth hurt.
I’m very proud of you. Often the right choice is the harder choice. You went out of your way with your time, energy and money to benefit these feathered friends. You didn’t assume everything was fine when it wasn’t. Thanks for being you: still a great neighbor.
Will you be allowed visitation rights at the place where the ducklings were taken? After al you did bond with them and they imprinted you as their parent.
Where do Muscovy Ducks usually live? If they are not wild then they would have never learned to fly??? This certainly would have left them at a disadvantage with the other ducks on the lake.
Good rescue!!!!!!
I am glad they will have homes. We raised Muscovies out in WA on our farm but I have Khaki Campbell ducks now. Apparently the will/can mate with Muscovies, though, as a friend nearby took my extra drake to be friends with her Muscovy hen and she just hatched out a clutch of babies. This friend has a “house pig” (well, the pig is a bit big for the house now but still comes in from time to time) so I am not worried about their survival over the winter.
Birdman of BB Clark
Yea, Gregory! You’ve become a bird person! Welcome to the human flock!
You have done a great kindness by rescuing and feeding these wonderful ducklings. Thank you for bringing me over to them and allowing me to give them some food.
This is a heart warming story. Thanks to you and animal loving neighbors and friends made these babies a certain future. One will always wonder how and why they were dropped off. One of life’s mysteries.
Thank you for sharing.