Editor’s Note: The ducklings are part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
Nine ducklings were brought into care after being found alone in a swimming pool without their mother. Shortly thereafter, an additional orphaned duckling and a duckling transferred from another facility were admitted and integrated into the group for conspecific rearing. Each duckling underwent an initial assessment to confirm stability, hydration status, and the absence of injury or illness before joining the group.
An important aspect of raising birds in rehabilitation is social grouping. A transferred mottled duckling from another facility was integrated into the group so it could be raised alongside other mottled ducklings. This practice is widely used among wildlife rehabilitation centers, as consolidating conspecifics allows ducklings to develop natural behaviors, reduce stress, and improve their chances of survival after release.
The ducklings are being monitored daily in the clinic, given proper nutrition, and gradually introduced to naturalistic conditions that encourage foraging and water use. Since all individuals in this group are otherwise healthy, the goal is to continue supportive care until they reach an appropriate age and condition for release back into the wild, where they can thrive independently.
Mottled ducks are a native Florida species of “dabbling duck,” meaning they forage in shallow water by tipping themselves beneath the surface, grazing for food among the sediment. They have a very varied, omnivorous diet and will eat snails, insects, crayfish, seeds, and shoots.
Although they may seem like a common bird, as they are often seen in large flocks in urban areas, mottled ducks are at risk – the species has seen a 50% population loss over the past 50 years. This is largely due to wetland drainage, urban development, and hybridization with introduced mallards. It’s estimated that 10% of the Florida mottled duck population has mallard genetic material.
Leave a Comment