| Mallards life span - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Alex Clayton |
Our Ducks Dennis & Denise have returned!! <VBG>. They had a VERY short
visit last year since a neighbor had a new cat that was very active at
chasing them. Thought I would not see them again but they showed up about a
week ago and have moved in again. I'm assuming it's the same 2 since it's
always only one pair. Since this has been going on for about 7 or 8 years
now does anyone know off the top of their head, how long do Mallards live?
--
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
--Benjamin Franklin
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| toucanldy@aol.com |
I have one that I have had about 20 years. She was an adult when found
with a broken wing.
Regards
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| Alex Clayton |
<toucanldy@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1116987476.699354.210070@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have one that I have had about 20 years. She was an adult when found
> with a broken wing.
>
> Regards
>
Thanks TL. A couple people sent me some good links. I finally took the time
to read some of it. Seems the consensus among the people who are supposed to
know, is that these ducks don't mate for life. I had thought they did. They
all said the hen picks a mate at the start of the season, then he stays
around till she lays, and soon after the eggs hatch he takes off. Those bums
<G>. So I would have to "guess" this is probably the same hen every year,
she just brings her latest hubby along and shows him where the food is? I
always noticed the male is always more wary of me than the hen. When they
first get here she runs to us when we go outside. He always stands back to
watch. I guess that's because he is new, and is waiting to see what's going
on. She's expecting food. I always thought the male was just more careful.
Anyway it was interesting.
--
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
--Benjamin Franklin
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| Starlight |
On Wed, 25 May 2005 15:18:28 GMT, "Alex Clayton" <alexx1400@yahoo.com>
wrote:
>Thanks TL. A couple people sent me some good links. I finally took the time
>to read some of it. Seems the consensus among the people who are supposed to
>know, is that these ducks don't mate for life. I had thought they did. They
>all said the hen picks a mate at the start of the season, then he stays
>around till she lays, and soon after the eggs hatch he takes off. Those bums
><G>. So I would have to "guess" this is probably the same hen every year,
>she just brings her latest hubby along and shows him where the food is? I
>always noticed the male is always more wary of me than the hen. When they
>first get here she runs to us when we go outside. He always stands back to
>watch. I guess that's because he is new, and is waiting to see what's going
>on. She's expecting food. I always thought the male was just more careful.
>Anyway it was interesting.
We have had mallards here for 4 years. I always thought it was the
same female too, but this year I've noticed a coloration that is
markedly different. I'm wondering if it isn't the offspring of the
last mallard. Maybe mom gave her some clues as to where she can get
free food and a nice little pond of water to play in. :)
Becky
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| Alex Clayton |
"Starlight" <homehealth_rnDELETE@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:03h991h219f11crdere35c8if513scdt0h@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 25 May 2005 15:18:28 GMT, "Alex Clayton" <alexx1400@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Thanks TL. A couple people sent me some good links. I finally took the
>>time
>>to read some of it. Seems the consensus among the people who are supposed
>>to
>>know, is that these ducks don't mate for life. I had thought they did.
>>They
>>all said the hen picks a mate at the start of the season, then he stays
>>around till she lays, and soon after the eggs hatch he takes off. Those
>>bums
>><G>. So I would have to "guess" this is probably the same hen every year,
>>she just brings her latest hubby along and shows him where the food is? I
>>always noticed the male is always more wary of me than the hen. When they
>>first get here she runs to us when we go outside. He always stands back to
>>watch. I guess that's because he is new, and is waiting to see what's
>>going
>>on. She's expecting food. I always thought the male was just more careful.
>>Anyway it was interesting.
>
> We have had mallards here for 4 years. I always thought it was the
> same female too, but this year I've noticed a coloration that is
> markedly different. I'm wondering if it isn't the offspring of the
> last mallard. Maybe mom gave her some clues as to where she can get
> free food and a nice little pond of water to play in. :)
> Becky
I had kind of wondered about that too, if the mother would show the young
where to get a meal? I do occasionally see other males try to stop by, some
times one or two will land on the roof. If they land in the yard or the
street the male will harass them until they leave. I have never seen more
than one female. Always been kind of surprised. In any case I always figure
when the Ducks show up the first time it means it's spring <G>. Normally
after they are here for a while Charlie (Macaw) will start to quack. He has
not yet this year, but it's always funny when he does.
--
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
--Benjamin Franklin
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