Bull frogs eating baby wood ducks? (1 Viewer)

[suzannemary]

Someone put a nest box on our pond. For two years in a row a pair of wood ducks has hatched babies which have promptly disappeared.

Some told me that bull frogs eat baby wood ducks. Is that true and how would we prevent that.

This year I think the parents pushed then out of the nest box in the middle of the night because there was quite a disturbance out on the pond. We have not seen the wood ducks since.

 

[Katy Penland]

Hi, Suzannemary! I see this is your first post, so a warm welcome to you from all of us on staff here at BirdForum!

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who does. :t:

 

[Rasmus Boegh]

Welcome to BF!

Yes, it does occur that large Bullfrogs take ducklings, although in most areas they face a greater risk of being taken by one of their numerous other predators (hawks, falcons, snakes, stoats, large pikes, etc.). It's pretty dangerous being a duckling which is why so many die before adulthood. Disturbing as it may be, there is very little one can do about it (unless trying to kill all natural predators in the area, which obviously can't be recommended). It's nature doing what nature does.