I have posted Australian Wood Duck series in best photos. Have not been able to get close to the large family of 11 young for some weeks, and I have not seen the other family with 8 chicks for a long time.
Today there were 19 wood ducks doing an "emu parade" feeding in our back yard. The 2 families came together, and I was unable to determine which was which.
The only other time I have seen both families together was while our hay was being cut, (scared by the machinary) they were all on the dam, with the four parents guarding the corners, amazing to see different families working to protect each other.
Only one photo, shows 11 of the group, cant tell which are which any more, but appears a good mix of males and females. By the time I got the camera out, they realised I was there, and began to make a hasty retreat.
Thanks for filling me (us) in. Good news for the ducks, so they all made it to adulthood. Just wait for next season, there will be 11 per couple, with the neighbour's ducks to mate, count on 121 at least.
M-L