Duck tales: Reader responses to OCN's duck story

Many OCN readers weighed in on the article we published last week concerning the team of Muscovy ducks that have taken over a pond along Oviedo Boulevard and the City of Oviedo’s plans to address the issue.

We asked readers to share their own duck tales on Facebook and then rounded some of those comments up and posted them below so you can see what your neighbors have to say.

“I understand them being a problem, especially for the residents, but I do not agree with them having to be euthanized. They are just trying to live. Why can’t they be relocated outside of florida? I know the cost would be high but I know people would be willing to donate to save their lives versus killing them for just trying to survive,” said Heather Kaminska.

“Get rid of ‘em. Invasive aquatic animals are out of control in Florida,” said Dave Campione.

“I have had two relocation calls from my neighbors. They attacked my next door neighbor’s plumber and son. I just relocated them to our pond they waddled from. Please. I’m not looking for a Facebook argument. I’m just listing incidents I’ve had to work with. I gently and safely relocated these ducks,” Joshua Zane said.

“That being said, one chased my roommate’s son into the garage and I personally think that’s abso-friggin-lutely hilarious. I work with relocating native species all the time. The non-native species are the ones that are most concerning because it’s not a simple 3-mile relocation to a natural wilderness management area.”

“I remember being a new Florida homeowner with a “lake” (retention pond), in my backyard. I thought it was the coolest thing having these ducks coming up to my patio and feeding them until they invited their family, neighbors, friends of friends. It wasn’t cute anymore when I was out there washing down the patio every day because of their excrements,” Edward-John Franks said.

“P.S. In New York, the retention ponds are called sumps and they are normally surrounded by wire fences, LOL. Somehow Florida learned to call them lakes or ponds, LOL.”

Shawn Bull said: “Invasive, FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) needs to trap them.”

Doran Greene said: “Crapping machines.”

To Greene’s comment, Rick Baringer said: “Sidewalk and benches are unusable.”

“Muscovy ducks will kill our natives and destroy native nesting sites. I have seen a male Muscovy drown a male mallard and then mate with the female. Having a trapper remove them will be the only option to complete removal. They will still continue to thrive, even if not fed by humans,” said Bonnie Strosnider Dalton.

“They are aggressive because people are feeding them. They don’t need to be fed as they can survive off of bugs, foliage that grows in ponds. If they stop feeding them they will fly off to another pond. They sleep on land in flocks,” Andrew Israel said.

“This breed can breed all year long. They do not have an off season like many other ducks. Stop feeding them and they will move on. Also the males are the ones with the big red bumps on the face are called Caruncles and the brighter the red gets is how they attract females. I do suggest people not try and catch them on their own. The claws are not extremely sharp. There are ways to handle them without getting caught, but leave that to professional people.”

Bill Avalon said: “I have never seen them nasty. Glad that their eggs are being harvested to control the population.”

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