Ducklings and Goslings Newly hatched wild ducklings and goslings are the most adorable fluffballs… Canada Gosling Mallard Duckling Being cousins in the Anatidae family (which also includes swans), Mallard Ducklings and Canada Goslings look quite similar right after hatching. Note the dark markings and distinctive line through the eye of the duckling. Another thing they have in common is that they can leave the nest shortly after hatching. Here’s Mom leading her new brood of eight ducklings who follow single-file … Having sole responsibility for the safety of the young, Mom is always watchful… The ducklings grow quickly and are able to forage and swim comfortably like these who are about a week old… They are still under the watchful eye of their Mom… Here are goslings at the age of one week, still resembling their duck cousins… But in just another week, the goslings have grown a noticeably long neck… Among geese, Mom is not the only parent in charge. Dad watches over his family too, often aggressively, for approximately 10 weeks. The family sticks together on land and water… Note below, how the gosling on the right is mimicking adult behavior… Growing goslings begin to resemble the adults after about 8 weeks… Note the feather development on this juvenile and the white face patch… Meanwhile, the Mallard ducklings also are maturing quickly, developing feathers… Still with Mom, these juveniles below are almost full-size and still walking in single-file… The juveniles with yellow bills are the males. They are beginning to develop green coloration on the head… When they reach the age of eight weeks, the Mallards become fledglings, able to fly. They are no longer under the supervision of Mom, but remain with the flock as they continue to mature. Canada Geese, on the other hand, do not fledge until ten weeks . Then they remain with their parents for about a year. Here are more photographs of adult ducks and geese… In Praise of the Mallard >> Puddle Ducks >> Diving Ducks >> Please follow and like: Share this:FacebookXLike this:Like Loading... Post navigation Great Egret DocksideWhere do starlings nest?