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Mom Wood Duck is busy

12 years ago

She is singing and eating egg shells like crazy today.(We have a camera in the box)

I know she has more than 20 eggs under her. Will try and record them when they jump and can get a better count when they jump.

Second box is due to fledge in just a few more days.

SE Michigan--Connie

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Comments (4)

Connie Kru
Original Author
12 years ago
Here is a video of Mom today-eating the egg shell of one of the ducklings. If she eats all of the egg shells, she will be one full duck.
Wish us luck at getting the video of her and the little one's tomorrow.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mom eating egg shell
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kendra2003
12 years ago
That is a fascinating video Connie. It appears so difficult for her to eat them, and yet she is determined. Love your videos! Can hardly wait to see them jump this year. Do they only have one clutch per year?
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Connie Kru
Original Author
12 years ago
Kendra,according to the CORNELL Lab of Ornithology --The Wood Duck is the only North American duck that regularly produces two broods in one year.--
We have second batches, but I always thought they were the ducks that lost their first batch.
Mom is keeping them warm right now and have not heard her eat any egg shell this morning, so hopefully the little ones will all be strong enough to climb the wall when she does decide to take them out into the Big World.
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Connie Kru
Original Author
12 years ago
Sorry I do not have video (that's hubby's job and he has been to busy to put it into the computer).
Mom left a little after 11 am yesterday and 24 babies jump right behind her. She was on the pond for about 1/2 hour then took them up on the bank and rested for 15 min. and then off into the woods she went.
There were 4 eggs left in the box, so she could have had 28 little one if they had all hatched.
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