Was that a duck I saw?

SAMIAM · 07-17-2005, 07:39 PM

Pooo-o-o-or little duckies......lost their mom....give them some bread

ApS · 07-17-2005, 08:11 PM

Yeah, it was a merganser.

I had a single chick yesterday doing the same, pathetic, cheeping sounds while he passed under my dock. Before I had a chance to think about it, mama showed up.

I have no idea why I was so relieved -- there's no rescuing baby birds.

Mama was probably out looking for food, and the baby "got lost".

They'll probably come by tomorrow, and don't be surprised if there are one or two more -- or less. Parents sometimes acquire babies through such mixups.

Newbiesaukee · 07-17-2005, 10:50 PM

Agree they were mergansers. The sex difference in adults is striking and unusual. The females have greyish bodies and rusty red heads and are very elegant. The males are black and white and superficially are loon-appearing as the dark green heads also appear black.

Grant · 07-18-2005, 08:31 AM

Mergansers:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...sort=1&cat=509

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...sort=1&cat=500

lakershaker · 07-18-2005, 08:41 AM

Thanks, those were definately what they were. Hopefully they got picked up by a mama bird along the way.

07-18-2005, 08:31 AM	#4
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,501 Thanks: 377 Thanked 231 Times in 125 Posts	Mergansers Mergansers: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...sort=1&cat=509 http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...sort=1&cat=500 __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

07-18-2005, 08:41 AM	#5
lakershaker Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Rattlesnake Isl. - Simsbury, CT Posts: 274 Thanks: 91 Thanked 46 Times in 28 Posts	Definately what I saw Thanks, those were definately what they were. Hopefully they got picked up by a mama bird along the way.

07-17-2005, 07:39 PM	#1
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,909 Thanks: 337 Thanked 1,686 Times in 592 Posts	Pooo-o-o-or little duckies......lost their mom....give them some bread

07-17-2005, 08:11 PM	#2
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,941 Thanks: 2,212 Thanked 778 Times in 554 Posts	Yeah, it was a merganser. I had a single chick yesterday doing the same, pathetic, cheeping sounds while he passed under my dock. Before I had a chance to think about it, mama showed up. I have no idea why I was so relieved -- there's no rescuing baby birds. Mama was probably out looking for food, and the baby "got lost". They'll probably come by tomorrow, and don't be surprised if there are one or two more -- or less. Parents sometimes acquire babies through such mixups.

07-17-2005, 10:50 PM	#3
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,354 Thanks: 949 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	Agree they were mergansers. The sex difference in adults is striking and unusual. The females have greyish bodies and rusty red heads and are very elegant. The males are black and white and superficially are loon-appearing as the dark green heads also appear black.