Posted by Jim Hackley on December 5, 2012 at 10:27 PM
I was visiting Prescott, AZ over Thanksgiving weekend and hiked around Willow Lake. On the hike I could see several large groups of ducks forming up and coming together in a big circle. About half of the group would be circling around the formation and the other half making noise and diving. It was interesting to see this behavior and also all the different type of ducks forming into one group. Would this be some type of feeding behavior or is something else going on?
Please see large image for this post.
Thanks for any feedback.
Jim
Posted by Lance Warley on December 6, 2012 at 5:58 AM
It could be taking turns as look-outs for predators.
Posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 6, 2012 at 8:53 AM
Based on the image, this was not predator related. If it were all the birds would have the heads up in alert postures and most likely would be flying off. Most of these birds have the heads in the water like they are feeding. Very interesting given there are divers and puddlers in this large group. Many look to be be northern shovelers. There must be a food source in this one particular spot these birds are taking advantage of. My best guess as a 20+ year waterfowl research biologist.
Posted by Harry Harris on December 6, 2012 at 6:28 PM
Where the ducks Northern Shovelers? The behavior you outlined sounds like their feeding behavior.
Posted by Jim Hackley on December 10, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Thanks everyone, I have been to this lake many times but have never seen this before.
Discussion
4 repliesPlease see large image for this post.
Thanks for any feedback.
Jim