At Cheyenne Mountain Zoo we have 3 pairs of ducks (both a male and female) that live at Moose Lake in Rocky Mountain Wild. Common Pintail, North American Wood Duck, and Hooded Mergansers are the species. This winter our lake froze over, and the islands floating in the water were frozen in place. Although the ducks were doing okay, we were concerned that the local fox population would be able to walk out on the ice and potentially run off with the ducks. For the ducks’ safety, the decision was made to take them up to the vet clinic for the winter. In the vet clinic we have an area of protected holding that is outside so they could stay acclimated to the temperatures, but be safe from predators.
Our ducks moved back to Moose Lake a few weeks ago (end of March) and are very happy to be back in the pool! All of the males are sporting their courting plumage. They look beautiful!
The Merganser male, Bodo, was being especially territorial when he moved back to the lake. He was chasing Spruce, the male Wood Duck out of the lake, and our Zoo Keeper staff felt it would be best to take the Wood Duck pair (Spruce and Maple) back to the vet clinic for a bit. We anticipate that Spruce and Maple will be back at the lake sometime soon, but for now you can see our Mergansers and Common Pintail pairs swimming and playing on Moose Lake.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Ducks
Male Wood Duck - Spruce
Female Wood Duck - Maple
Male Merganser - Bodo
Female Merganser - Sissi
Male Pintail - Granite
Female Pintail - Marble
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