Mallard Flycatchers (1 Viewer)

NoSpringChicken · May 9, 2011

The highlight of a day at Minsmere yesterday was provided by the most unlikely of birds, the Mallard. There was a female and six small ducklings on one of the side dykes. There were lots of insects flying about and the ducklings were catching them. They were almost running across the surface of the water and jumping into the air to snap at them. They were in a feeding frenzy and it was brilliant to watch. I have seen adult Mallards catching insects in the air before but never ducklings. I suppose other people see this behaviour all the time?

Ron

Jaff · May 9, 2011

Not seen them doing it myself but if you're talking about odd feeding behaviour of Mallards then this is by far the strangest I've come across. And yes it did swallow it after much effort!

Cheshire Birder · May 9, 2011

NoSpringChicken said:
The highlight of a day at Minsmere yesterday was provided by the most unlikely of birds, the Mallard. There was a female and six small ducklings on one of the side dykes. There were lots of insects flying about and the ducklings were catching them. They were almost running across the surface of the water and jumping into the air to snap at them. They were in a feeding frenzy and it was brilliant to watch. I have seen adult Mallards catching insects in the air before but never ducklings. I suppose other people see this behaviour all the time?

Ron

Its fairly common behavious amongst the recently hatched ducklings. Today i've seen at least four broods "flycatching" at different sites.

CB

Mallard Flycatchers (1 Viewer)

More options

NoSpringChicken

Well-known member

Jaff

Registered Member

Attachments

Cheshire Birder

Well-known member

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread