07/29/2026
At this time of year, we receive tons of calls about families of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks wandering city streets along with their ducklings.
This species of duck breeds in cavities in mature trees and often times do not need a pond to survive, although they may eventually head towards one. These ducklings, similar to wood ducks, are highly stressed and do not always do well with human interference or in a captive setting. The best thing to do if the parents are present is to help them safely cross the street in the direction they were heading and allow them to be on their way. A birdās best chance of survival is with its own parents.
Not only is it best to leave these animals in the wild where they belong, but wildlife rehabilitation permits do not cover the capture and relocation of native healthy animals, so rehabilitation centers cannot legally take possession of baby birds who are found with their parents and are behaving naturally. Rehabilitators are permitted by state and federal law only to take orphaned, sick, and injured animals into our care for treatment. As these birds are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, we are prohibited just like the public, from relocating or recommending relocation of healthy families of animals.
If you encounter a situation where the ducklings are truly orphaned, entrapped in an enclosed area such as a manhole, or they are ill or injured, the best course of action will be to reach out to your local rehabilitation center to discuss next steps!
We appreciate all the calls we get from concerned citizens each year about these ducklings, but also strive to educate on the natural history of this unique species native to south Texas!
