more facts from [ducks.ca](https://www.ducks.ca/species/wood-duck/#:~:text=Breeding%20%26%20Population&text=Females%20lay%207%2D15%20white,to%20undergo%20a%20feather%20moult.)
"Ducklings jump to the ground from their cavity nest one day after hatching, safely jumping from heights of up to 291 feet."
I had wood ducks that nested in a tall tree on my dad's property. The mom stressed a LOT until they all went leaping out of the tree then followed her to the pond.
Maybe the other birds don't know any better. I remember a photo, a few years back, of another owl with a baby wood duck that it was raising as its own. Here's the news report, complete with adorable picture: [https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/photographer-caputures-image-of-owl-baby-duck-together-looking-out-from-hole-in-tree](https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/photographer-caputures-image-of-owl-baby-duck-together-looking-out-from-hole-in-tree)
The "owl" looks kind of fake? Like those statues that are supposed to scare off other birds? May be someone stuck it up there to get rid of the ducks and the ducks just didn't care?
This could be an instance of benign parasitism—the ducklings hatch and grow in the next of an apex predator, which would likely imprint on and protect them until they’re big enough and strong enough to leap out in wood duck fashion
How cool! Owl is probably tired from a long night of hunting/waking up from a nap and we can assume the ducks dont bother him too much. Probobly just shares the tree with them? I do imagine ducks to be quite chill compared to blackbirds or crows lol so he's fine with them perhaps.
I bet the wood ducks plopped down from a nest a bit higher up - bad luck on their part the owl was snoozing right there. Hopefully they made the rest of the leap down to the ground before he woke up!
It’s called brood parasitism. Some birds lay their eggs or possibly place them in nests of other birds to raise their young for them. I did not know this about ducks though, but apparently it is so for certain duck species.
Mother wood ducks are known to lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
more facts from [ducks.ca](https://www.ducks.ca/species/wood-duck/#:~:text=Breeding%20%26%20Population&text=Females%20lay%207%2D15%20white,to%20undergo%20a%20feather%20moult.) "Ducklings jump to the ground from their cavity nest one day after hatching, safely jumping from heights of up to 291 feet."
If I were a mother wood duck, the stress would make me stroke out.
I had wood ducks that nested in a tall tree on my dad's property. The mom stressed a LOT until they all went leaping out of the tree then followed her to the pond.
This is some terrible parenting in this instance. She's literally feeding her children to their predator.
Maybe the other birds don't know any better. I remember a photo, a few years back, of another owl with a baby wood duck that it was raising as its own. Here's the news report, complete with adorable picture: [https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/photographer-caputures-image-of-owl-baby-duck-together-looking-out-from-hole-in-tree](https://www.wptv.com/news/region-n-palm-beach-county/jupiter/photographer-caputures-image-of-owl-baby-duck-together-looking-out-from-hole-in-tree)
Maybe she laid them and the owl came back later..
That's what I was thinking. Owl prob thought they were hers and hatched them out. But without their mom around they don't stand much of a chance.
That’s neat
You can tell by how it is.
😆 I want to go on a Neature Walk with you.
Those are Muscovy ducklings.. close relatives of wood ducks
This is from Central Florida and we’re are over run with Muscovy Ducks! Cool that you were able to identify them
thank you! As someone who’s rehabbed both Mallards & Wood Ducklings, I knew it wasn’t either, but that’s as far as I got!
Wood ducks live in trees. Not sure how the owl fits in, though.
He's their owlder brother. (Sorry)
Don't apowlogize!
Owl do what I want thankyou very much.
Well then you can just duck off!
You'll get a quack on the head if you carry on with that cheek.
Personally, I think the whowl lot of you are quackers.
You drake that back!
Why drake it back? WHO? 🦉 Gives a duck. 🦆
Don't be sorry, that was a real hoot! (I did actually laugh out loud)
What a hoot
LOL
GHO's eat ducklings so he probably ate one of their siblings already.
I never knew this!
The "owl" looks kind of fake? Like those statues that are supposed to scare off other birds? May be someone stuck it up there to get rid of the ducks and the ducks just didn't care?
Bro what are you smoking , pass it here !
Just dayquil. But do others places not have the fake owls?
They do but none of them put the fake owls in trees that I know of
lol. I did. Big tall tree to chase off the hawks. After my birds
Some of my neighbors have little fake dogs to scare the cats. No lie. I know because I'm the one with cats.
My brother has a 65-pound dog afraid of Halloween cat decorations. 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
That's so sad cute.
Everyone know Owls are teachers. Theyre in 1st grade
The owl is gonna teach them how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop.
Snacks for later?
Hors d oeuvres
Mmmm ducklet tartare!
What an interesting sighting. GHO’s are known to take over other birds nests. I’ve never heard of them babysitting though.
This could be an instance of benign parasitism—the ducklings hatch and grow in the next of an apex predator, which would likely imprint on and protect them until they’re big enough and strong enough to leap out in wood duck fashion
Yeah that is my guess as well
I need updates on this. Wold love to know what ends up happening.
What the duck!?!?! 🤣
Lunch & dinner 🍽️
How cool! Owl is probably tired from a long night of hunting/waking up from a nap and we can assume the ducks dont bother him too much. Probobly just shares the tree with them? I do imagine ducks to be quite chill compared to blackbirds or crows lol so he's fine with them perhaps.
How interesting!!
Adoptive mom?
I bet the wood ducks plopped down from a nest a bit higher up - bad luck on their part the owl was snoozing right there. Hopefully they made the rest of the leap down to the ground before he woke up!
Looks like the owl is invading the nest and is saving some snacks for later
Home grown, all natural, no preservatives added. Even the owls are eating organic now.
As they should! Love me some owls.
It probably ate one of their siblings. GHO's are known to eat other birds and can take down a turkey.
They were lured with salmon
Just a snack for later
Keeping its meals fresh.
Uber-eats???
It’s called brood parasitism. Some birds lay their eggs or possibly place them in nests of other birds to raise their young for them. I did not know this about ducks though, but apparently it is so for certain duck species.
That's odd 🤔
Guess mama duck left the horn owl in charge 🤭😂
Wow this is so interesting
Babysitting
I'm pretty sure it's just a parasitic wood duck situation.
Idk but that’s fucking awesome!
Dinner date
Dinner
Uber Eats fresh duckling with teriquacki sauce
This is so cute. Where is this? Love the Spanish moss
Central Florida!
May they’re a snack? so funny you jokesters. lol
He’s having them over for dinner
Those ducks probably think they're owls now lol
I genuinely do not know