Been awhile since I last posted so I don't know if I mentioned that two mallards have taken up residence in the pond. One is a mature drake (Papa Duck) and the other is a immature drake (Baby Duck). Baby Duck is nearly grown. Same size as his father but his head isn't quite as green yet. Anyway. Since Lucy died things have been okay with Daffy, Daisy and Donald. Daisy remained Daffy's woman and Donald knew not to try anything and he'd be allowed to hang sometimes. So here comes these two mallards one day. After 4 days they are allowed by Daffy to join the club. Come mid February we started to have a lot of warm weather which gave Daffy the idea of mating season. Anytime Papa or Baby Duck came near Daffy would chase them but they could easily fly away to a safe distance. It took only 2 weeks for them to start to come up to my back door to get corn like the others also. Anyway.. A change has taken place. Papa Duck has stolen Daffys woman! Yup. He and Baby Duck will chase Daffy away but it's mostly Papa Duck and Daffy. Baby Duck only chases and sometimes the tables are turned. But Papa Duck and Daffy really get into it with biting. Daffy is unable to really get away as Papa Duck just goes airborne and lands near him again. Even more interesting is the diversion tactic that father and son have come up with. When Papa Duck makes his move on Daisy, Baby Duck goes after Daffy and gets Daffy to follow. Meanwhile Donald is all by himself just watching. Donald is more alienated than before, despite the mallards leaving him alone.
Nothing much I can do. I have stopped feeding them and am hoping the mallards leave, though, I do like the extra company.
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