Wildlife Removal Services Inc.

Water Fowl

Biology:  Most waterfowl are migratory, flying long distances in the spring and fall between the summer breeding grounds and wintering areas.  Some, however, never leave the breeding area, such as some populations of Canada geese.

Mating Habits:  Waterfowl are normally monogamous and solitary nesters.  Pair formation in geese and swans tends to be permanent until one of the pair dies; ducks seek a new mate each year.  Ducks and the Ross’s goose generally lay one egg each day, while other geese and all swans lay an egg every other day until the clutch is complete.

Gestation Period:  Incubation is not started until the last egg is laid, thus all hatch at about the same time.  The size of the bird appears to have some bearing on the incubation period which ranges from 23 days for cackling Canada geese to 38 days for trumpeter swans.

Birthing Times:  Hatch times are usually in the late spring.

Clutch Size:  1 to 10 eggs per clutch is typical.

Life Span:  First year mortality rate is 60 to 70 percent and 35 to 40 percent in following years.
However, life spans of 10 to 20 years for captive ducks and 20 to 30 years for captive geese and swans are not uncommon.

Foods:  Young waterfowl feed primarily on aquatic insects and other invertebrates.  Adult waterfowl have an omnivorous diet. 

Hibernation:  Waterfowl do not hibernate.

Legal Status:  In the United States, migratory birds, including most waterfowl, as well as their nests and eggs are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  State and local regulations may also apply.

Catch & Release Status:  It is ILLEGAL to release this or any animal on the land(s) of another without written permission from the landowner.  This is the LAW in the state of Ohio.