Q:   Every spring I have had ducks (a male and a female) who visit my yard and get fed. They usually come a few times a day until summer when I assume they have ducklings to raise. Last week on a warmer day they appeared - and they have been coming back every day since - even in the snow.  In fact, during the storm they came right up to my door to get food.  Today FIVE ducks appeared.  My questions - don't they usually go south?  Do ducks mate for life? Where have these ducks been since August?

A:  These ducks are most likely the two mated male and female and three of their  surviving offspring.  They can, and some do, fly south for food.  However, if they already have a food source, they will stay.  Since we have had mild winters over the past few years, these birds tend to expect that this year will be mild too.

Mallards do mate for life, but will replace their mate if one is killed.  The ducks have been out foraging in a local water source.  They eat a variety of vegetation, larvae, and worms.  That water source has now frozen, and eliminated that food source.  They have come for handouts.  Any animal will choose the easiest method of survival, and flying hundreds of miles is much more difficult than hanging out where they may get fed.

If you want to continue feeding them, they will eat wild bird seed, and even dry dog food.   DO NOT feed bread.  This is empty calories with no nutritional value. It can cause them to become malnurished, and diseased.

If you want them to leave, stop feeding altogether, and they will head south.  It is never too late for them to migrate.

Jacalyn L. Perry
President, SCWRC
10 years Licenses and Permits Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education
Lockport, NY

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