Geese at Peace

 Lake Murray has a sizeable population of geese, and they don't always get around. One particular mean gander was the first gander to raise babies there. He bites other goslings that aren't his and attacks his own, sometimes viciously, when they are almost a year old.  Not long ago, the coyotes killed him. At the time, he had three almost-grown goslings. 

The rest of this family went from the highest-ranking family to the bottom. Fortunately, the goslings were only a couple of weeks away from flying, so they were OK. However, one thing I noticed is that the entire flock seemed more peaceful. I am not saying that no one nipped or chased anyone, but they seemed calmer and quieter. I even made a video about it.

Currently, most of this year's flock are doing "flying lessons." Therefore, many of them are not at the lake. One gosling is still too young to fly. 

Babba, the domestic gander, attached himself to a family with four goslings. He and the gander were buddies, but Babba didn't like the mom. Now that they are of flaying age, they have left him alone. He sometimes tries to hang out with the last young gosling, but I don't think the parents are putting up with him.

You may see the geese come and go at this time. However, they will rarely stay in one place all day. 

About Leucistic Mallards

 At Lake Murray in San Diego, I've seen several leucistic-type mallards over the years. When I say leucistic, I mean true wild ducks with a lack of color. Lake Murray has also had its share of dumped domestic buff and khaki Campbell ducks with light coloring. These are not leucistic mallards.

Bossy Girl is a domestic buff  

If you are unsure if you are looking at a domestic buff duck versus a wild leucistic mallard, consider these guidelines:

• Domestic ducks often cannot fly or fly well

• Domestic ducks usually have a longer and bulkier build

• Many domestic duck breeds lack special speculum feathers

• Leucistic mallards are shaped and sized the same as wild mallards

• Leucistic mallards often have blue speculums, though it depends on which color they lack

• Leucistic mallards fly just as well as any other mallard

A few domestic duck breeds can fly very well, but they often differ from wild mallards in other respects.

Leuci II is a great example of a wild leucistic mallard. Currently, she is about four years old. The original leuci lived for 10 years before she passed. Leuci II is about four years old. In my research, I have found at least one expert says that leucistic mallard feathers are more prone to damage. However, that doesn't seem to have any effect lifespan of the ducks here.

Leuci II is a full wild mallard

Both Lecuis were successful at breeding and producing normal-colored ducklings. However, original Leuci was not a good mother and never successfully raised a duckling to adulthood. Leuci II, however, has been successful. So far, it is unknown if that leucistic gene has been passed on to her grand-babies. However, several other ducks at the lake lack certain colors in their feathers, so it's possible.