So many ducklings!

**** Via Hope for Wildlife So many ducklings! It's our busiest time of the year, which means we have 900 patients in care right now. A few dozen of them are ducklings. The vast majority of our ducklings come in as a result of road accidents or from becoming trapped in places like sewers. Ducks are born precocial. That means are born with open eyes, a well-developed down cover, and can walk, swim, and feed themselves pretty much right after being born. Lacking a full feathers means they are not yet waterproof, so they can get cold pretty fast if they stay in the water too long. So, while they are somewhat independent, they still rely on their mother to lead them to their food and water, provide them with warmth, teach them about the world, and to keep them safe until they are old enough to be on their own. If you find a duckling on its own, and she isn't just a straggler lagging behind mom and the others nearby, call your local rehabber for advice on how to help!