Ring-necked Duck
April 23, 2024
This adult female Ring-necked duck was brought to PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center by a caring resident of Olympia who found it waddling in their neighborhood just west of Capitol Lake.
Upon intake, radiographs revealed that the duck was recovering from a keel fracture, an injury that likely resulted from crashing onto wet pavement.
Such accidents are not uncommon. Emily Meredith, PAWS’ Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager, has seen many waterfowl and seabirds sustain traumatic injuries from road strikes, especially when they are moving between winter and summer habitats.
“At night, when these birds are migrating, shiny wet pavement looks like water. The birds crash onto the pavement thinking they are landing on a softer surface. These species are adapted to land and take off on water, so when they land on the road, they are unable to take flight. If you see a seabird or waterfowl on the road, it probably needs help, and you should call us for assistance.”
Fortunately, the female duck was already recovering when first examined and just needed a safe place to regain her flight abilities. The PAWS team released her back into Capitol Lake after eight days in care.
Although waterfowl frequent this artificial lake, a proposed dam removal will revert the area back to its natural state as the Deschutes River estuary. This restoration is projected to benefit salmon and orcas, honor treaty-reserved fishing rights for indigenous communities, protect downtown Olympia from flooding and sea-level rise, and provide additional habitat for wildlife such as Ring-necked Ducks!