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catbyte

(39,399 posts) Tue Jun 9, 2026, 05:29 PM 4 hrs ago

Mama Duck Asks Staff to Help Her Babies

4 replies

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Mama Duck Asks Staff to Help Her Babies (Original Post) catbyte 4 hrs ago OP

Oh so sweet Grim Chieftain 3 hrs ago #1

What were they doing in the building in the first place? question everything 2 hrs ago #2

She made her nest and hatched the ducklings in an enclosed courtyard. pat_k 1 hr ago #3

Mama duck flies into the enclosed courtyard because catbyte 33 min ago #4

Grim Chieftain

(2,190 posts)

1. Oh so sweet

Reply to catbyte (Original post)

Tue Jun 9, 2026, 06:15 PM

3 hrs ago

I love this. Thanks, catbyte. It's nice to have a smile in these trying times.

question everything

(52,523 posts)

2. What were they doing in the building in the first place?

Reply to catbyte (Original post)

Tue Jun 9, 2026, 08:08 PM

2 hrs ago

pat_k

(14,233 posts)

3. She made her nest and hatched the ducklings in an enclosed courtyard.

Reply to question everything (Reply #2)

Tue Jun 9, 2026, 08:30 PM

1 hr ago

They call it one of the university's "protected courtyards" -- presumably a place from which the little ducklings have to walk through the building to get to the pond.

And it is absolutely adorable!!!

catbyte

(39,399 posts)

4. Mama duck flies into the enclosed courtyard because

Reply to question everything (Reply #2)

Tue Jun 9, 2026, 09:36 PM

33 min ago

she knows that most predators can't get to her eggs and babies. When it's time for the babies to be on the water, they have to go through the building to get to a pond on campus because the babies can't fly yet.

A relative lived at a nursing home that had an enclosed courtyard in the middle of the building. A mama duck did the same thing, which was a source of much delight for the residents. When the time came, staff ushered the family through the facility and out the door where they proceeded to a nearby pond.

Mama ducks are smart.

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