Duckling(s) or gosling(s)

If something startles the female, such as a predator, she has several techniques for protecting or diverting attention away from her vulnerable young.

One technique is the “broken wing” strategy. She will very effectively, and noisily, attract attention to herself by limping and dragging a wing and walking away from where her ducklings are. When the predator attempts to catch an easy meal she will fly off. In the meantime, the ducklings instinctively know they must hide. The group will often scatter in tall grass or any hiding place. The family will regroup when the female feels safe enough to return to the area and will start gently calling the ducklings to her.

Another strategy she has is to simply fly off, leaving the ducklings to scatter and hide. She is not abandoning them, she simply does what her instincts tell her to do depending on the situation.

  • If you witness the mother duck flying off, please simply leave the area. She will return to her babies once she feels the threat is gone. Thank you!
  • If you find ducklings by themselves, please monitor them from a distance. The mother will not return if she feels there is still a threat nearby. You can collect the ducklings and place them in an open box. It is important that the mother hears her ducklings calling. If the mother does not return within a couple of hours, please collect them and bring into our Wildlife Hospital (12515 128 Street, Edmonton) immediately. Please call the Wildlife Hotline ahead of time to let us know you are coming (780-914-4118).
    See contact page for hours and location.If we are closed, please bring the animal to a 24 hour Emergency Vet Clinic
    1) Guardian Veterinary Centre (5620 99 Street, Edmonton; 780-436-5580)
    Please ensure that the ducklings are kept warm and stress free. They should not be given water as ducklings without their mother may not have adequate water proofing of their down and if they get too wet they can become chilled and/or hypothermic.

    It is extremely important that once you have collected a wild animal you arrange to bring it to care. Do not attempt to treat wildlife on your own. Most wild animals are protected by law, and a special permit is required to house them in an enclosure for any amount of time.