Strange Behavior? While on my outing I caught this sequence. I have watched ducks a lot and I have never seen this type of behavior, unless it was mating season. And even then, I...

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

While on my outing I caught this sequence. I have watched ducks a lot and I have never seen this type of behavior, unless it was mating season. And even then, I haven't seen them do this.

This Drake and Hen were stepping on the other Hen and basically attacking her, biting and keeping her underwater.

Anyone ever witnessed this? Do you know what this behavior may be? Very curious and hoping someone here may know. Thanks

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

that is wild. jealous wench. lol

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

I know huh? She was like "Why aren't you trying to drown me?"

tramsey Loc: Texas

I've been around ducks and geese many years and I've never seen or even heard of this behavior. What happened to the hen they were trying to drown?

oldmalky Loc: West Midlands,England.

Could be the ducks are territorial as i have seen drakes attacking ducks (as in not attempting to mate just scaring them off)

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

tramsey wrote:

I've been around ducks and geese many years and I've never seen or even heard of this behavior. What happened to the hen they were trying to drown?

She eventually came up and then they all went their way like nothing happened.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

oldmalky wrote:

Could be the ducks are territorial as i have seen drakes attacking ducks (as in not attempting to mate just scaring them off)

I hadn't thought about that. Very well could be a territorial thing. A friend of mine made a comment along these lines: remember when we were younger and we would jump in the pool? What would you naturally do to your friends? You would try and dunk them, right? Maybe this is similar. Just a social thing or horseplay (or more appropriately Duckplay).

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

I have seen it many times. For whatever reason the female is being rejected. Mallards are normally monogamous. the pair is chasing away an interloper.

snails_pace Loc: Utah

From what I've seen at the lake here, the mallards and hybrids do mating behavior all year long. I have never seen a hen "pile on" though. Any chance there was a bit of green on the head ... immature male?

I have seen two mallard drakes and a Swedish blue on one hen .. and a third drake was trying to get on. They are very aggressive.

I have a fair amount of .... um ... duck porn. The last time was just a couple of weeks ago.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

jrb1213 wrote:

I have seen it many times. For whatever reason the female is being rejected. Mallards are normally monogamous. the pair is chasing away an interloper.

Interesting! Thanks

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

snails_pace wrote:

From what I've seen at the lake here, the mallards and hybrids do mating behavior all year long. I have never seen a hen "pile on" though. Any chance there was a bit of green on the head ... immature male?

I have seen two mallard drakes and a Swedish blue on one hen .. and a third drake was trying to get on. They are very aggressive.

I have a fair amount of .... um ... duck porn. The last time was just a couple of weeks ago.

I am pretty sure it was a Drake and a Hen. I was kinda surprised at how aggressive they were being. Thanks

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

O_S_O_K wrote:

While on my outing I caught this sequence. I have watched ducks a lot and I have never seen this type of behavior, unless it was mating season. And even then, I haven't seen them do this.

This Drake and Hen were stepping on the other Hen and basically attacking her, biting and keeping her underwater.

Anyone ever witnessed this? Do you know what this behavior may be? Very curious and hoping someone here may know. Thanks

Yes, unfortunately. There are 2 groups of mallards who have been on the pond behind our condo for 2-3 years. About 13 total. I actually thought they were going to kill one about 3 months ago. After attacking her in the water, the group, about 4-5, chased her up the bank and onto the grass. She was totally exhausted, breathing hard and lying on her stomach. I just could not stand it any longer (I know, it is not good to interfere with nature) I walked over and yelled once. The group headed back to the pond, including the poor female.
They all swam off together. Have no idea why they were doing it. It should not have been mating time in October.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

Elliern wrote:

Yes, unfortunately. There are 2 groups of mallard... (show quote)

Very interesting behavior! I guess we would just like to think of these animals as even tempered, but I am sure all animals have a mean side just like us.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Fascinating series. Thanks for sharing!

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

O_S_O_K wrote:

While on my outing I caught this sequence. I have watched ducks a lot and I have never seen this type of behavior, unless it was mating season. And even then, I haven't seen them do this.

This Drake and Hen were stepping on the other Hen and basically attacking her, biting and keeping her underwater.

Anyone ever witnessed this? Do you know what this behavior may be? Very curious and hoping someone here may know. Thanks

Probably smelled, needed as bath. :lol: :lol: Good shots. :thumbup: :thumbup: