Was that a duck I saw?

[lakershaker]

At Rattlesnake this weekend we saw 8 baby ducks, I think. At first I thought they may be loons, but when I got home on the internet, they didn't look like baby loons. They had black bodies with white spots, and their heads were a reddish brown. There were no parents with them, and they kept making chipping sounds. I have seen some loons this year, more than in the past, so that is why I initially thought loons. But it seemed strange the chicks were alone. Anyone have any ideas what it is I saw? In 25 years on Rattlesnake, I have never seen birds like these. Sorry I don't have a picture, I left the camera in the car :(

[KPW]

It sounds like merganzers (sp?). The parents may have been killed by a loon. I have seen loons go after ducks.

[SAMIAM]

Pooo-o-o-or little duckies......lost their mom....give them some bread

[ApS]

Yeah, it was a merganser.

I had a single chick yesterday doing the same, pathetic, cheeping sounds while he passed under my dock. Before I had a chance to think about it, mama showed up.

I have no idea why I was so relieved -- there's no rescuing baby birds.

Mama was probably out looking for food, and the baby "got lost".

They'll probably come by tomorrow, and don't be surprised if there are one or two more -- or less. Parents sometimes acquire babies through such mixups.

[Newbiesaukee]

Agree they were mergansers. The sex difference in adults is striking and unusual. The females have greyish bodies and rusty red heads and are very elegant. The males are black and white and superficially are loon-appearing as the dark green heads also appear black.

[Grant]

Mergansers:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=7077&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=509

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1207&size=big&password=&sort=1&cat=500

[lakershaker]

Thanks, those were definately what they were. Hopefully they got picked up by a mama bird along the way.