A Rare First Flight Attempt of an Orphaned Spot-billed Duck: Documenting the Transitional Stage Before True Flight
Most wild ducklings are first noticed flying only after they have already mastered the skill, making the transition itself surprisingly difficult to document. This observation records what appears to be one of those rarely witnessed moments: an orphaned Eastern Spot-billed Duck (*Anas zonorhyncha*) attempting to use its wings to overcome an obstacle just before becoming fully capable of flight.
The duckling, which had been abandoned by its mother weeks earlier, had already survived by relying on its own abilities. During this observation, it spread its nearly fully developed wings, briefly generating enough lift to raise its body before falling short of clearing the ledge. Although unsuccessful, the attempt appeared to capture the very beginning of independent flight.
This article is part of a long-term daily field record documenting individually identified duck families. The interpretations presented here are personal observations based on continuous video evidence collected over time rather than conclusions drawn from formal scientific research.
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## Video Record
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# Main Species Featured
### カルガモ
- English: Eastern Spot-billed Duck
- Scientific name: *Anas zonorhyncha*
- A resident duck widely distributed across East Asia. The species develops rapidly after hatching, and young birds usually become capable of sustained flight at around two months of age. The brief transition immediately before first flight is rarely documented in the wild.
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# Observation Record
One of the most fascinating stages in the development of young ducks is the short period immediately before they become capable of true flight. Although adult-sized juveniles are commonly seen flying, the actual process of learning—or more accurately, acquiring the physical ability—to fly is seldom witnessed. By the time observers notice them, they are often already airborne.
During this observation, a juvenile Eastern Spot-billed Duck estimated to be around 60 days old attempted to overcome a familiar ledge by spreading its wings. The wings generated visible lift, raising the body noticeably above the water, but the bird lacked sufficient flight power to clear the obstacle and fell back before reaching the top.
What happened next was equally interesting. Rather than hesitating after the failed attempt, the duckling immediately returned to the method it had relied on throughout its development, climbing the ledge under its own power. This location had served as an important part of its daily movements for weeks, and repeated climbing attempts had gradually become easier as the bird matured.
The individual recorded here belonged to a remarkable group of ducklings that had previously been abandoned by their mother. Despite losing parental care, the surviving juveniles continued to grow successfully. Because I had followed this family both before and after the abandonment event, witnessing one of these orphaned ducklings reaching the threshold of flight carried particular significance. It represented not only normal physical development but also the successful survival of a bird that had continued growing without maternal guidance.
Two ducklings from this abandoned group happened to be together during the recording. Interestingly, only the first attempted to use its wings to clear the obstacle. The second bird chose the familiar route, swimming to the ledge and climbing it without using its wings. Since both individuals appeared to be at similar developmental stages, this difference suggests that the onset of flight may vary between individuals, even within the same social group.
The estimated age of approximately 63 days is based on the known hatch date of the biological offspring of the original mother (family Hg). However, the abandoned group eventually included ducklings originating from several different broods that had merged together before the abandonment occurred. Consequently, the actual age of individual birds may differ by as much as four days. Even allowing for that uncertainty, the observation likely represents the period immediately preceding first sustained flight, making it a particularly valuable behavioral record.
This observation also reminded me of experiences I had while raising young parrots. They likewise began flying without any apparent instruction from their parents. Although very different species, both experiences reinforce how strongly the ability to fly appears to emerge through innate development rather than direct teaching. Watching that transition never becomes less remarkable.
Interestingly, these same orphaned ducklings were recorded climbing this identical obstacle at approximately 45 days of age. Comparing those earlier recordings with the present observation clearly illustrates how rapidly locomotor ability develops during the final weeks before fledging.
Because these videos are recorded and published according to the actual filming date, they serve not only as wildlife footage but also as chronological evidence documenting the continuous development of individually identified birds over time. My interpretations throughout this article should therefore be regarded as observations made by a long-term wildlife enthusiast rather than formal scientific conclusions.
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# Observation Codes
This project uses original observation codes to identify individual duck families and record filming dates consistently across many years of continuous field observations.
Detailed explanations of the filming date codes, duck family identification codes, and the purpose of this long-term observation project can be found here:
https://okasinaikimono.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-wild-duck-diaries.html
00:00 Highlights (unordered)
03:01 Three ducklings left behind… キf3-20…
* Upper weir nursery area! Seems they’ve returned, but only the ducklings are here.
Lately, many families leaving ducklings behind—probably because the rice fields are now flooded, so the mothers go foraging.
03:06 Ducklings react! A little egret landed nearby
03:51 Ducklings react! A grey heron landed nearby
04:24 Three other ducks on the opposite bank – looks like molting adults with missing flight feathers.
06:44 キf ducklings start stretching. Can’t wait for mom to return?
07:41 One duckling sets off 
Another duck nearby, but not the mother.
08:48 ★ Second duckling sets off… Ah! キf母 came back! Reunion hidden in the bushes
* The third duckling was still sleeping to the end—lots of unusual behavior. Hesitated and ended up half-filming everything m(_ _)m
11:08 ★ キf3 approached the little egret peacefully—no threat display from the mother!
13:00 Grey heron in deep water
* Came hoping to see the Yf3 juveniles from yesterday and… ah!!!
13:09 ★ オf2-25 – duckling jumped & mother returned
* Caught it, but it was so sudden I panicked. Probably a “left behind” case; (didn’t sense them during the earlier heron watch, so likely not a reckless move).
The duckling climbed the ledge just as オf母 returned.
* オf2 soon went down the ledge into the side stream bushes. Waited a bit, but no Yf3. Didn’t see yesterday’s カf1 either.
14:57 Of2-60 – Congrats on 60 days! Can you fly yet!?
* Of family from the rice field—lots of memories. Two months old now.
Of母’s feathers are molting, making ID tricky, but her “mallard-like” face makes her easy to tell. (Maybe the feather change is why she’s been hard to find lately.) Congrats!
Hoped for a weir descent, but they didn’t.
* The three ducks on the other bank were worn-feathered adults.
17:13 イf family at 59 days! Three ducklings visible; one not found – イf4-59
* Same spot had Lf4 with three yesterday, making it confusing, but Lf vs イf confirmed via mother’s wing patterns.
19:02 Distant duck family… another on the opposite bank
* Thought I’d found キf3 while searching, but キf3 was actually across the river So this is シf6!
20:29 シf6-13 and キf3-20 close encounter
* Both appear on screen for a while—careful not to confuse them.
21:26 キf3 with lots of weeds even on the tetrapods
* This area used to be easy to see, now a jungle. Plant growth is amazing.
22:44 シf6 approaches resting ducks; mother peacefully retreats 
* During this, キf3 moved further upstream.
23:51 ★ シf6 preparing for nap – the “mystery plank” bed!
* A yearly classic but fewer this year. Two young families here gives a nostalgic “original nursery area” vibe.
27:47 ★ Prime seat 
* Observations done, wanted to head back, but the mother looked like she might fly.
Given recent behavior, high chance of leaving ducklings behind, so I waited… and…
29:18 ★ シf母 flew off leaving them behind; ducklings couldn’t wait…!
* Wanted to see where the mother went, but the ducklings dashed off and I focused on them—missed both.
Expected mom to head to the rice fields across, but she flew upstream—unexpected.
* シf母 put the ducklings to sleep before leaving, but they chased her—a rare pattern.
For the past 3 days, the ducklings always moved during abandonment—maybe they’re the “can’t wait” type.
31:25 ★ シf6 huddled on a tiny island—adorable!
33:23 ★ キf3 approaching—thought “oh no!” but they both realized they were strangers!
* Only キf母 seemed curious about シf duckling calls.
34:42 ★ シf6 ducklings dashed off alone to the shaded bed
37:40 ★ The 6 ducklings set off again…
40:18 ★ Returned to the mystery plank!
44:17 Didn’t react even as other ducks passed by
* Thought maybe Tf8, but it was molting adults.
49:35 シf母 still not back… ducklings starting to wake…
51:03 ★ One duckling left behind Slowly setting off
* Headed back to the tetrapod zone, repeating same movements? Mother’s late…
1:02:05 ★ Ducklings startled by carp, froze and dashed!
1:02:32 ★ Returned to the mystery plank, but other ducks were there Ducklings wisely deferred
* Then moved along the bushes upstream. Thought they might reach their usual bed, but they crossed to the other bank and started heading back downstream.
1:06:20 ★ Ducklings suddenly dashed! Mother’s call!! She’s back!!
* Just like キf3—missed the actual reunion
Today mothers immediately “erased evidence” (bathed), so can’t tell if they went to rice fields
1:07:24 ★ シf appeared! 5 ducklings… and the 6th came too
1:08:43 シf母 tried to rest on the mystery plank again…
1:10:30 ★ Ducklings noticed and came back!
* Wanted to watch the nap but had already seen it—no end to it, so wrapped up here.
Searched for Tf8 but couldn’t find them. After shopping, dropped by and…
1:13:36 ★ シf6 just finishing their nap and setting off
▲▲▲ End of timestamps
*
So… Of2 safely reached 60 days!
Recently, so many “left behind” ducklings—it’s exhausting to watch.
At least the numbers haven’t dropped, which is a relief.
シf6’s abandonment times are much longer than other families—makes me anxious and think “what kind of mother is this…” (Normally up to ~30 mins; today was over an hour. Two days ago’s waterfall wasn’t abandonment, but still 2 hours.)
In the end, having 6 ducklings at this age might mean the results matter more than how it looks from a human perspective.
Someday I want to make a video analyzing these patterns, but it’s hard for people without lots of comparative cases to accept.
* Lately, many overseas viewers—been desperately explaining “Eastern Spot-billed Duck males and females look the same!” and I think more people are starting to get it, which makes me happy.
* To keep track of the many duck families, I use the mother duck’s wing (tertial feather) patterns and code system. [List here ↓] https://okasinaikimono.blogspot.com/2025/07/0731f.html
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