Feeding the Ducks
Muscovy Ducks
A lot of us like watching the ducks that waddle around, especially when the ducklings hatch and there's a string of little ducks following mama duck around.
But these aren't your ordinary ducks. The ducks you see around The Lakes of Sherbrooke and Bonita Isle are Muscovy ducks.
Muscovy ducks are an invasive species and are considered a nuisance by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC).
Like pigeons, these ducks breed aggressively and as a result choke-out native species as they compete for the same natural food sources. And, like pigeons, Muscovy ducks socialize easily to humans, losing their fear, and thus nest all around us.
Feeding the ducks encourages them to nest nearby and hang around your patio waiting for more food and leaving feces all over. And not just on your patio, but on your neighbors as well. Along with the FFWCC, many Bonita Isle residents consider these ducks a nuisance.
Not Just Ducks
The Lakes of Sherbrooke for years had a problem with wild peafowl in the Placid area. These large pesky birds make a mess, are very loud, and can even become aggressive toward humans. Why did they hang around? Because a couple of homeowners in Placid were routinely feeding them. The peacocks and peahens did what comes naturally and reproduced, leading to a population of an estimated 15 to 20 birds at one point. Why should they forage for food in the wild when it's literally served to them on a platter? Finally, a trapper was called in to collect all the peafowl and the problem was solved.
Feeding wild animals is not a good idea. Nothing good comes from the intersection of wildlife and food-dispensing humans. It often ends badly for the wildlife even if you don't see it first hand.
Why is that?
First of all, wildlife is adapted to hunting for food for their very survival. When wild animals are served their food by doting humans, they lose the ability and incentive to hunt on their own. They become accustomed to humans -- including humans that may wish to harm them. How can that possibly serve their long term interest?
Secondly, it's illegal to relocate and release many species of wild animals including Muscovy ducks, but not to euthanize them! So, for example, if a residential area has a big problem with Muscovy ducks, often brought on by feeding, the association might call in a professional trapper to round up as many ducks as possible. And since relocating and releasing is illegal, then euthanizing them becomes the only viable option. Or, frustrated by the mess, local residents may attempt to poison, shoot, or otherwise unskillfully cull or trap the animals, potentially causing an even bigger problem.
It's not illegal at the state or federal level to feed the ducks, although some municipalities have passed local ordinances prohibiting it. But just because it's legal doesn't make it advisable.
It's certainly better for the wildlife to forage for their own food and it's better for the community not to be overrun with pesky, invasive species like Muscovy ducks.
So, again, please don't feed the ducks.
Wildlife experts know what they're talking about and they overwhelmingly recommend against feeding such wildlife.
Here's some links discussing Muscovy ducks in greater detail.
CLICK HERE for many more Google search results.
But these aren't your ordinary ducks. The ducks you see around The Lakes of Sherbrooke and Bonita Isle are Muscovy ducks.
Muscovy ducks are an invasive species and are considered a nuisance by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC).
Like pigeons, these ducks breed aggressively and as a result choke-out native species as they compete for the same natural food sources. And, like pigeons, Muscovy ducks socialize easily to humans, losing their fear, and thus nest all around us.
Feeding the ducks encourages them to nest nearby and hang around your patio waiting for more food and leaving feces all over. And not just on your patio, but on your neighbors as well. Along with the FFWCC, many Bonita Isle residents consider these ducks a nuisance.
Not Just Ducks
The Lakes of Sherbrooke for years had a problem with wild peafowl in the Placid area. These large pesky birds make a mess, are very loud, and can even become aggressive toward humans. Why did they hang around? Because a couple of homeowners in Placid were routinely feeding them. The peacocks and peahens did what comes naturally and reproduced, leading to a population of an estimated 15 to 20 birds at one point. Why should they forage for food in the wild when it's literally served to them on a platter? Finally, a trapper was called in to collect all the peafowl and the problem was solved.
Feeding wild animals is not a good idea. Nothing good comes from the intersection of wildlife and food-dispensing humans. It often ends badly for the wildlife even if you don't see it first hand.
Why is that?
First of all, wildlife is adapted to hunting for food for their very survival. When wild animals are served their food by doting humans, they lose the ability and incentive to hunt on their own. They become accustomed to humans -- including humans that may wish to harm them. How can that possibly serve their long term interest?
Secondly, it's illegal to relocate and release many species of wild animals including Muscovy ducks, but not to euthanize them! So, for example, if a residential area has a big problem with Muscovy ducks, often brought on by feeding, the association might call in a professional trapper to round up as many ducks as possible. And since relocating and releasing is illegal, then euthanizing them becomes the only viable option. Or, frustrated by the mess, local residents may attempt to poison, shoot, or otherwise unskillfully cull or trap the animals, potentially causing an even bigger problem.
It's not illegal at the state or federal level to feed the ducks, although some municipalities have passed local ordinances prohibiting it. But just because it's legal doesn't make it advisable.
It's certainly better for the wildlife to forage for their own food and it's better for the community not to be overrun with pesky, invasive species like Muscovy ducks.
So, again, please don't feed the ducks.
Wildlife experts know what they're talking about and they overwhelmingly recommend against feeding such wildlife.
Here's some links discussing Muscovy ducks in greater detail.
- Info from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC)
- Info from Wildlife Removal
- Statement from Miami Springs, another Florida community
- Statement from Lee County
- Article on SunSentinel
- Article on HSUS - Humane Society of the United States
CLICK HERE for many more Google search results.