'Frisco' the One Legged Duck
11 January 2018
Frisco is about 9 weeks old. He is a wild mallard duck who lost one of his legs in his first week of life, probably by an eel, or hedgehog. He was given to me by a fellow duck rescuer, who took him in after he noticed him struggling to keep up with his siblings and mother in his first week of life. My rescuer friend did not have any other ducklings in his care at the time, and knowing I had other young ducklings, plus could offer Frisco long term place to live, offered Frisco to me. Very soon after I took him home, I realised Frisco had won my heart.
Despite this horrific start to his life, Frisco has developed into an engaging and unique duck. He has a real character and usually has plenty to say.
On arrival at Ducktopia, Frisco was accepted into a group of 7 (including him) ducklings. They are all now Juvenille ducks, and though he is still an accepted and welcomed member of that group, Frisco often seems to prefer to spend his time alone. Like most ducks, Frisco will protect when picked up, however at the same time as he is protesting, he is usually also positioning himself up close under my chin for a cuddle, so much so he has earned the nickname my 'cuddle duck'.
This video shows a young Frisco, hopping about the run he was initially placed in, along with 6 other ducklings. Nowadays, Frisco free ranges by day, but still comes indoors at night. He is almost flying, and my feelings on this are divided. ...
I am excited for him, and for the new world flight will open up to him after being limited to hopping about on his one leg....
And I worry... Firstly because for mallard ducks, flight is only possible at high speeds, meaning landings are often brutal. Leg injuries are common in wild ducks and they seem prone to them. So I worry about the impact that repeated high speed landings, even when they turn out as planned (let alone the inevitable crash landings ducks learning to fly go through) will have on his one leg.
Secondly, since his wings have developed, he has started to use them as 'arms' or secondary legs, is throwing them out to balance himself in a kind of 3-legged walk. His wings are not made for this and I am concerned he will develop sores on the wings. Hopefully once he is able to lift off the ground consistently, he will stop using his wings in this way,
I also worry about him leaving Ducktopia, either for a day, overnight, or longer, unaware of the dangers that lurk outside the safety of the enclosure here... Though I guess, he has already experienced those dangers at a very young age...
If anyone would like to donate funds specifically for the care of Frisco, please say so in the notes with your donation. Either way, Frisco will always have a home here, and a special place in my heart...