Mallards - Releasing to Wild

In My Humble Opinion
1

I work in an office building with an enclosed courtyard completely open to the sky. A few months ago, we noticed a pair of mallards hanging out both on the lawn outside the building, and in the courtyard. 3 weeks ago, we discovered 9 mallard ducklings in the courtyard. As there was no source of water, and limited garden space in the courtyard, we’ve been providing water in shallow dishes, and a baby pool, as well as food specifically intended for baby ducks and geese. Mama’s with them about 1/2 the time, and tries to keep them from getting to close to us when we go out to change the water and feed them.

The ducklings have thrived, and are getting too big for the courtyard and baby pool. On the one hand, the sooner they get away from people, the more likely they’ll migrate and behave normally, but on the other hand, the more likely they are to be killed by predators. I think they’re between 3.5 - 5 weeks of age now.

The parents may not be truly wild mallards, as we are just 1/4 mile from a park with 2 large ponds, and that’s where we’d plan to release them. Complicating this, however, is that mallards are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and apparently we need some kind of permit to do anything with them. Catch 22 - it’s illegal to kill them, but it’s also illegal to care for them and keep them from dying. I’ve not been able to get any response from the Fish & Wildlife office for our area so far to find out exactly what we need to do to stay legal.

Anyone with any experience or insight care to share tips & suggestions?

2

I don’t know how to take care of them, but if you can turn this into a children’s book you could be sitting on a goldmine.

I may even be able to suggest names for the ducklings.

3

Depending on where you are, there may be an organization that is licensed to handle wildlife rehabilitation including things like this situation. Try googling for wildlife rehabilitation or rescue organizations in your area.

Failing that, try the SPCA. They may know who is qualified to safely move them.

4

This one will probably do better in IMHO rather than General Questions. MOved.

samclem, moderator

5

As I see it, the mallards will go wherever they see fit. I live in a mobile-home park, and one pair of mallards has been enjoying our swimming pool. They also walk around, and I saw at least Papa Mallard walking around on the side drive in front of our place.
They also claim territory at El Camino College, and Mama Mallard was sitting on her unhatched eggs with her mate walking around the planter to fend off humans, cats, and squirrels who he thought were a threat to his wife and “kids.”

6

You could try calling the Animal Control Officer if your city or town has one or see if there is an Audubon society near you , or call a vet and see if they know any one that is license to care for wild animals. Did you try looking on line to see if there is any Audubon society close by?

7

Can you prop open some doors and let them find their own way out? If not, call your local rehab: http://www.owra.org/find-a-wildlife-rehabilitator

And whether or not you think they’re “truly” wild or not, the fact they’re mallards and have no human owner means they’ll be treated as wild birds under the law.

8

So far, we’ve called a biologist with the state’s Parks & Wildlife Department. He seemed willing to help, but told us we’d need a permit from the federal Fish & Wildlife Service first.

So far, I’ve called twice & left a message, but received no response since. I’ve also perused their web page about permits, discovered that there are specific permits depending on what it is you want to do with the birds, but none that fit our situation. There is a $50-$100 fee depending on the type of permit requested, and a processing time of up to 60 days. This route is not looking promising.

They’re probably 30-60 days away from being able to fly off on their own, which is a lot of time not to be learning how to survive as wild ducks. Yes we could let them go through the building out to the grassy area in front of the building, but then to get to water, they’d have to cross a major road (4 lanes with active construction going on). So I think boxing them up & taking them to the pond would be better.

Thanks for the link, araminty. Unfortunately, the nearest wildlife rehabilitor for birds is 120 miles away. Won’t hiurt to try calling them & see what they say, as well as the city Animal Control, SPCA, and Audobon Society. I’ll work on this next week.

In the meantime, they’re getting bunches of Flock Feeder, cut up kale & spinach, cole slaw mix & finely chopped apples and grapes. They love diving for the treats on the bottom of the pool, and are starting to get some feathers in. I now know exactly what is meant by phrases like “take to ________ like ducks take to water”, and “like water off a duck’s back”.

And then there’s the million dollar question of what to do next year. Mallards usually return to the same breeding grounds. I think the may be the 2nd year they’ve nested here; but last year may have nested in the front grassy area & been mowed or caught by feral cats, dogs, or other predators. Saw the mallard pair in the spring, but never saw any ducklings.

Thanks for all the tips & suggestions.

9

Sorry for the hassle, and good on you for taking it on! Ducks are a lot of fun to have around.

And I do have a tip for next year - the first time you see them arrive, shoo them away. Make loud noises, wave your arms - whatever it takes. Keep an eye out and repeat this as they return for another look. You can remove nesting material, change the landscaping, hang mirrors and other reflective things… they have to decide that what was previously a fantastic nest site is now no longer safe or suitable.

Good luck! Give us an update when you can!

10

We finally got clearance from the Feds & The biologist from the TX state Park & Wildlife Department gathered them all up & took them out to good sized lake about 50 miles from here. They’ve got a better-then-average chance of making it out there since the increased rains this spring mean new areas close to the water that aren’t already claimed.
I miss them!

11

Good job! I should have asked earlier, pictures? :slight_smile: