A wild duck

[Birdbot]

Hi bird community! I have what is technically a bird question, but it's not a pet. I live on a lake, and there is a gang of bachelor mallard ducks that likes to come hang out under my deck on hot days. I've noticed since this spring that one of them has some kind of feather problem and has gone from having glossy normal colors to being completely brown and patchy. He seems ok otherwise, from what I can tell. This has been going on way too long to be a molt. He is a wild bird, so I can't approach him closely or get a good picture, but he definitely looks pretty rough. Could it be some kind of mite or illness, and if so, is there anything I can do for the poor guy? Or if there's nothing I can do myself, is this a question for the humane society, a vet, or the DNR?

[boomer girl]

I would try to find a wildlife rescue that can come out and help this duck. I know we have some here that will do what it takes to capture this dick and help it.

[RebelRoyal2004]

DEANNA!!! You have a major typo!!! DUCK not DICK!!!!

[Chris Mark]

I would try to find a wildlife rescue that can come out and help this duck. I know we have some here that will do what it takes to capture this dick and help it.

Am I the only one who noticed the misspelling?

I've been pecked by a wild duck when I tried to get too close to him. Hurts plus it chases you and never gives up.

[maxollie]

I agree with Deanna to call your local rescue. You also can call the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This Department is the one who handles issuing deer and fishing and other licenses. They have game wardens that are always out in the fields and conservation areas looking for injured animals and birds and poachers. I would say this duck could possibly have gotten into an area that had a chemical or oil spill. Or maybe someone injured him, or an animal got ahold of him but he got away.

[Birdbot]

Poor guy! I will call the Humane Society tomorrow and see if they can put me in touch with the local rescue. I didn't see him today, but sometimes he disappears for a few days. Hopefully he will be back soon so he can get some help. Thanks!

[Birdbot]

Update: I got in touch with the rescue and they are looking into it. I hope they can help!

[Birdmanca]

What the lady said above about calling a wildlife rescue is the best answer. They will do what they can to help the duck with his feather problem and then release him into the water to swin away when they believe he is ready to return to the wild. These people that work and volunteer in these wildlife places try to help all the creatures that they encounter.

[boomer girl]

I hope they find it and help it out. The rescues here are really good here about healing sick birds and releasing them back where they got them from.

[Birdbot]

The rescue never did get in touch with me to let me know if they found him or were going to do anything, but I did see him today for the first time in a while, and he does look a little better (color is coming back, not as patchy). So either they did something that worked quickly, or he's just getting better on his own.

[maxollie]

It is good to see he looks somewhat better! Maybe they did catch him and evaluate him and then release him.

[boomer girl]

I hope whatever it was has gone away so he can be healthy and fully feathered again real soon.

[Birdbot]

I hope so too! He looked even better today, so I am hopeful that he is on the mend.

[Birdbot]

Another update- I saw him again today, he looks great! And I found out he and his brother are actually Mallard x American Black Duck hybrids, so they have a slightly different color than the rest of the ducks in the area. I'm happy to see the little guy looking so good again!

[maxollie]

We have Mallards here at the harbor. I live on the Illinois river. We also have white domesticated geese who live here year around, and Canadian geese who stay until fall and then fly south for the winter. Some of the white and Canadians have paired up and their offspring are very stunning in feather colors.