Many people have wondered for years if these extraordinary large number of ducklings (which is a sort of common occurrence for this species) can belong to one
pair. Probably not, as normally a bird will only lay about one egg a day, so how can she put out 23 eggs over that long and they still be viable and hatch together. I believe we don’t know the answer. Am I wrong? Is odd, as it would seem to be an easy question
to look at, compared to say how much is known about Fairy-wrens. Also the bit of film a few days ago that shows several adults gathered around as young jumped from a nest, sort of suggests (to me) that it is likely to be more than one set of parents. As ducklings
get imprinted on the first relevant moving thing they see, it probably does not matter if it is their actual parent or some other duck of the same species.
Philip
From: mariko buszynski [
Sent: Monday, 13 April, 2020 3:59 PM
To: canberrabirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Wood Ducklings
Since the Federal Golf Course is closed for some time, I ventured to see a pond in the Course. I saw 23 ducklings escorted by an adult pair. There were many wood ducks lounging about but they showed no interest and I presumed the ducklings
did not belong to them. But is it possible that all 23 belongs to one pair?
