Ducklings Trapped Behind a Waterfall for Two Hours: Separation, Waiting, and Reunion in an Eastern Spot-billed Duck Family ```

 A group of six Eastern Spot-billed Duck ducklings became divided at a river control structure when four disappeared behind falling water while their mother continued downstream with the remaining two. What initially appeared to be a brief separation developed into an extraordinary two-hour observation of waiting, displacement, family recognition, and eventual reunion.

The event was recorded during a continuous field survey of urban river wildlife in Japan. The ducklings remained behind the waterfall for an unexpectedly long period without visibly searching for their mother, while the mother and the other two ducklings repeatedly moved between the nearby resting area and the water-control structure.

This article presents the event as a chronological observation record rather than a definitive scientific interpretation. I am not a professional ornithologist or animal behavior researcher. The behavioral explanations offered here are personal observations and cautious hypotheses based on repeated filming of wild duck families over several years.

## Field Observation Video



The original long-form observation video can be embedded here.

The following day's record:
https://youtu.be/tnsTEOzzEm0

## Main Species Recorded

- カルガモ — Eastern Spot-billed Duck — *Anas zonorhyncha*  
  A dabbling duck widely observed in East Asia. Females raise their ducklings without assistance from the male, and family groups frequently encounter currents, concrete river structures, predators, and other duck families while moving through urban waterways.

- カワセミ — Common Kingfisher — *Alcedo atthis*  
  A small, brightly colored kingfisher that catches fish and aquatic animals by diving from a perch. Both an adult and a juvenile were recorded during this survey.

- バン — Common Moorhen — *Gallinula chloropus*  
  A wetland bird with long toes adapted to walking on floating vegetation and muddy banks. A juvenile approximately 68 days old was observed actively following a carp.

- ハクセキレイ — White Wagtail — *Motacilla alba*  
  A small insect-eating bird frequently seen along rivers, roads, and concrete embankments. A juvenile appeared near the duck families.

- ワカケホンセイインコ — Rose-ringed Parakeet — *Psittacula krameri*  
  A parakeet native to parts of Africa and South Asia. Feral populations have become established in several urban areas, including parts of Japan. Calls were heard, although the birds could not be visually located.

- コイ — Common Carp — *Cyprinus carpio*  
  A large freshwater fish common in managed rivers and ponds. Carp repeatedly approached the ducklings and other waterbirds during the observation, occasionally causing sudden evasive reactions.

- ハシブトガラスまたはハシボソガラス — Large-billed Crow or Carrion Crow — *Corvus macrorhynchos* or *Corvus corone*  
  A crow was observed near one older duck family. The exact species could not be confirmed from the available view.

## A Survey Intended to Be the Final Daily Record of the Season

I began this survey believing that it might be the final day of continuous daily filming for the 2025 breeding season. My initial purpose was to revisit several upstream duck families and confirm their condition before ending the daily schedule.

At 03:01 in the video, I located family アf3-40: a mother with three ducklings estimated to be approximately 40 days old. A Common Kingfisher was also present nearby.

This family was particularly important because an earlier encounter with family Uf1 had created uncertainty about the number of surviving ducklings. Continued observation indicated that the apparent discrepancy had not resulted from a confirmed loss.

At 08:02, family Xf5-48 was also found in good condition. The five ducklings had grown considerably and appeared well developed.

At 10:32, family エf5-34 was preparing to rest. One duckling lost its footing at 11:49, producing a brief but harmless fall. At 13:45, another duckling deliberately moved into the mother's shadow, apparently taking advantage of the shade.

These small events are easy to overlook, but they are part of the practical reality of duckling survival during midsummer. Shade, resting places, current speed, bank structure, and access to the mother can all influence how a family uses the river.

## Older Ducklings and Individual Identification

At 15:42, I encountered family Pf2-57. The two older ducklings appeared relatively unconcerned by a nearby crow.

The Pf mother has a particularly recognizable plumage pattern. Female Eastern Spot-billed Ducks can appear extremely similar at first glance, but repeated close-range records may reveal differences in the tertial feathers, wing pattern, facial markings, body shape, or behavior.

Even so, individual identification must be approached cautiously. During my first year of observation, I often relied too heavily on duckling numbers. Because broods can lose members, mix temporarily, become adopted, or be confused with nearby families, identification based only on brood size can produce errors.

For that reason, my current records combine maternal plumage features, location, family history, duckling number, age estimates, and chronological video evidence.

## A Juvenile Moorhen Following a Carp

At 18:52, a juvenile Common Moorhen estimated to be approximately 68 days old was recorded without an obvious parent nearby.

At 19:28, the juvenile repeatedly followed a carp in a circular pattern. The purpose of this behavior was unclear. It may have been reacting to disturbed food, inspecting the fish, competing for a resource, or simply responding to its movement.

I have recorded several unusual interactions between moorhens and carp in the past. These observations do not yet provide enough evidence for a firm explanation, but the repeated association may deserve comparison across multiple videos.

The movements of young moorhens in this area remain difficult to follow. Chicks have previously been observed climbing a slope and leaving the pond, while other individuals have disappeared suddenly from their usual locations. Their routes and alternative rearing areas are still uncertain.

## An Unexpected New Family

After checking the downstream river and tributary, I was unable to relocate several families I had hoped to find, including オf2, キf3, Of2, and イf4.

At 21:24, family Tf8 was resting. I believed this would mark the end of the season's daily survey.

I briefly left the area to buy food and later returned to check whether Tf8 had awakened. That unplanned return completely changed the day.

At 23:18, I heard the calls of young ducklings.

A previously unrecorded group was resting without its mother.

The ducklings appeared to be approximately ten days old. I provisionally registered them as family シf6-10:

- Mother identification: シf
- Six ducklings
- Estimated age: approximately ten days

At 23:46, all six ducklings were sleeping together without the adult female.

A duck call was later heard in the distance at 29:50. My interpretation is that the separation may have occurred farther upstream and that the ducklings had descended while waiting or attempting to relocate the mother. However, the exact cause of the initial separation was not witnessed.

The mother and ducklings were reunited shortly afterward, although the precise moment of contact was not successfully filmed.

## Resting, Swimming, and Avoiding the Strongest Current

The シf mother had a reddish appearance around the breast and a visibly worn or missing section of flight feathers on the left wing.

After the reunion, the family moved upstream. At 41:12, all six ducklings climbed onto a small island. A juvenile White Wagtail was also recorded nearby.

At 50:42, the family approached an area of rapid water but did not attempt to ascend through the strongest current. This appeared to be a practical route choice rather than a failed attempt.

The mother later began resting, but the ducklings did not immediately join her. Two eventually settled beside her at 59:24, followed by the remaining four at 1:02:12.

At 57:51, several ducklings could be seen diving underwater. Although Eastern Spot-billed Ducks are generally categorized as dabbling ducks, young birds may briefly submerge while feeding, escaping, playing, or moving through turbulent water.

At 1:04:40, a juvenile Common Kingfisher repeatedly entered the water, possibly bathing or practicing diving behavior. Its relatively short bill and juvenile appearance were clearly visible.

## Conflict Between Two Duck Families

The resting site of シf6 was later approached by family Tf8.

Interactions between unrelated duck families are not always peaceful. Resting sites, safe banks, food-rich areas, and narrow passages may bring females and ducklings into close contact.

At 1:10:05, a Tf duckling approached the resting シf family. The シf mother threatened the approaching youngster. The Tf mother reacted aggressively and forced the シf mother to retreat.

A similar confrontation occurred again at 1:11:44.

By 1:13:01, シf6 had been displaced toward a more difficult section of the river. The mother moved above the rapid current while the ducklings entered vegetation below.

At 1:14:19, the six ducklings climbed through the fast-flowing water. At 1:15:33, all six were confirmed together.

This was an important count. In dense vegetation and turbulent water, even a brief visual obstruction can make it appear that a duckling has disappeared. Repeated counting from multiple angles is therefore essential before recording a confirmed loss.

The Tf mother was also observed waiting for ducklings that had fallen behind while one youngster moved too far ahead. At 1:18:56, the leading duckling returned toward the group.

The sequence showed that aggression toward another family did not prevent the Tf mother from simultaneously monitoring the position of her own young.

## The Water-Control Structure

At 1:23:55, the シf mother approached a water-control structure consisting of concrete steps, flowing water, and a drop resembling a small waterfall.

The ducklings initially remained below and appeared unwilling to follow. They eventually moved toward the first step at 1:26:07.

Two ducklings selected a route that appeared climbable, but the mother did not seem to recognize their position. Another adult duck was visible above the structure.

At 1:28:13, the シf mother flew to the upper level.

Soon afterward, the ducklings entered the area behind the falling water.

At 1:29:16, they were no longer visible from the main downstream viewpoint.

## Four Ducklings Behind the Waterfall

The mother remained above the structure for a time, interacting with other ducks. One nearby adult was initially tolerated, although later events suggested that it was probably not the male associated with the family.

At 1:34:08, two ducklings emerged from the waterfall area. The mother noticed them and descended.

A large carp rushed toward the birds at 1:34:54, causing another sudden disturbance.

The mother then moved downstream with only the two visible ducklings.

The family was now divided into two groups:

- The mother with two ducklings downstream
- Four ducklings remaining behind or beneath the waterfall

I had previously observed very young ducklings entering this type of sheltered space, so I did not initially interpret it as immediately fatal. However, the duration of the separation soon became unusual.

## Disturbance by Tf8

At 1:37:58, family Tf8 entered the area at an unfortunate moment. The two ducklings accompanying the シf mother moved farther downstream.

At the same time, I could see only seven of the eight Tf ducklings. Because earlier counts had also been difficult, I retained the provisional Tf8 identification rather than declaring a loss without sufficient evidence.

At 1:39:12, the two シf ducklings began returning toward the water-control structure, but the four hidden ducklings were still missing from view.

At 1:40:31, Tf8 moved directly below the waterfall. This created concern that the hidden シf ducklings could be displaced, trampled, frightened deeper into the structure, or confused with the other family.

At 1:42:47, one or more of the hidden ducklings became visible. This confirmed that they were still alive and remained within the waterfall area.

At 1:46:08, the シf mother and two ducklings returned to the structure, but the other four did not emerge.

At 1:47:24, the physical distance between the mother and the four ducklings was documented. They were close enough that calls might have been audible, yet neither side immediately completed the reunion.

## Waiting Without Searching

At 1:47:52, all four ducklings were again confirmed behind the waterfall.

One of the most striking aspects of the event was their apparent lack of active searching. Rather than moving continuously through the river, they remained in the sheltered space for an extended period.

Several explanations are possible:

1. The area behind the water may have felt physically secure.
2. The sound of the waterfall may have obscured directional calls.
3. The ducklings may have followed a waiting response used when separated from the mother.
4. Strong current or unfamiliar structure may have discouraged them from leaving.
5. Their view of the mother may have been blocked even when she was nearby.

These possibilities remain speculative. The video documents what happened, but it cannot reveal the internal motivation of the birds.

The falling water may also have lowered the temperature and created shade. At first glance, the ducklings sometimes appeared almost as though they were resting or cooling themselves. However, comfort should not be assumed merely from their stillness.

## Heat and the Limits of Field Observation

The observation continued through intense midday heat. I had not prepared for an additional multi-hour survey and did not have enough water or protection from direct sunlight.

This became a serious practical problem. I wanted to document whether the family reunited, but remaining exposed also risked heat illness.

Field observation always includes the condition of the observer. Fatigue, heat, distance, vegetation, glare, and restricted viewing angles can affect what is noticed and how confidently an event is interpreted.

For that reason, uncertain identifications and missed moments are stated openly in this record rather than reconstructed as though they were fully observed.

At 1:53:21, the two ducklings accompanying the mother again moved downstream. Several remaining Tf ducklings also descended through the area.

At 1:55:33, the two シf ducklings returned once more.

At 1:56:29, they rested in the mother's shadow, while the four hidden ducklings could no longer be easily located.

## The Four Ducklings Emerge

At 1:57:27, the missing four ducklings finally appeared outside the waterfall.

At 1:58:53, the four ducklings and the mother seemed to respond to one another's calls.

At 2:00:10, both sides visibly recognized each other's location and moved together.

For a brief moment, it appeared that the two ducklings already accompanying the mother had not joined the returning group. At 2:00:23, however, all six were confirmed together.

At 2:01:38, the reunited family descended the rapid current and returned toward the resting area.

## Approximately Two Hours of Separation

The four ducklings remained in or behind the waterfall for approximately two hours, from around 11:10 a.m. until approximately 1:10 p.m.

This duration was far longer than I expected.

During that time, the mother remained in the surrounding area with the other two ducklings, but repeated movement, interference from Tf8, the structure of the water-control gate, and the sound and obstruction created by the waterfall prevented an immediate reunion.

The event should not be simplified into a claim that the mother abandoned four ducklings. She remained nearby, returned repeatedly, and ultimately reunited with them. At the same time, the video does not establish whether she always knew their exact position.

Likewise, it cannot be concluded that the four ducklings intentionally waited according to a fixed survival strategy. Their immobility may have resulted from shelter-seeking, uncertainty, acoustic masking, current avoidance, or a combination of factors.

## Why Continuous Daily Records Matter

This family was discovered only because I returned after briefly leaving the river to buy food. Had I not returned, neither the unattended group nor the waterfall separation would have been recorded.

The observation also occurred on the day I had intended to end continuous daily filming for the season.

I had been unable to locate family Sf9 after approximately 77 days of observation and expected the record to close quietly. Instead, a new family appeared at the final moment and immediately experienced one of the most complex separations I have documented.

This illustrates why wildlife observations are often shaped by chance. A small change in route, timing, weather, or the observer's decision can determine whether an event is witnessed at all.

## Evidence, Interpretation, and Long-Term Documentation

My videos are generally published as long, minimally edited records with natural sound. The first few minutes may contain a summary, but the main footage preserves the chronological sequence as directly as possible.

The publication date also functions as supporting chronological evidence for the filming record. In addition, the following day's video and later records may show whether a family remained intact, moved elsewhere, lost ducklings, or changed its behavior.

This method does not replace formal scientific research. Ages are often estimates, individual identifications may be revised, and some events occur outside the camera's field of view.

Nevertheless, continuous records across multiple days can provide valuable situational evidence. They allow isolated scenes to be compared with what happened before and afterward instead of being interpreted only as dramatic single moments.

## Observation Codes

The filming date code for this record is:

0728F

The code consists of the month and day followed by a letter representing the year. In this system, F indicates 2025.

The newly recorded family was provisionally identified as:

シf6-10

This means:

- シ: the identifying symbol assigned to the mother
- f: the observation year, 2025
- 6: six ducklings
- 10: estimated age of approximately ten days

The katakana symbol シ must remain in katakana. It is an individual identification symbol and is not equivalent to the Latin letters “Shi” or “Si.”

Because many duck families were present simultaneously, mothers were distinguished primarily through recurring plumage characteristics, especially patterns in the tertial feathers, together with location, brood history, age estimates, and chronological comparison.

A visual family list related to this date is available here:
https://okasinaikimono.blogspot.com/2025/07/0728f.html

A detailed explanation of the filming date codes, duck family identification system, and the purpose of the long-term observation project is available here:
https://okasinaikimono.blogspot.com/p/welcome-to-wild-duck-diaries.html

## Note on the Nature of This Record

This article is based on continuous day-by-day field observations and video records collected over multiple years.

I am an independent wildlife observer, not a professional ornithologist. Behavioral interpretations in this article are therefore presented as observations and hypotheses rather than established scientific conclusions.

I record ordinary days as well as unusual events, preserving both successful and incomplete observations. By maintaining daily footage and comparing records across different dates, I aim to document not only individual scenes but also the circumstances before and after them.

In this case, the following day's record is particularly important because it provides additional chronological evidence concerning the condition and continued movement of the シf family after the two-hour separation.

00:00 Highlights (unordered) Today I went upstream to check the families, thinking this might be the last day of daily filming. 03:01 アf3-40 (Duck family アf: 3 ducklings, approx. 40 days old) 04:17 Kingfisher near アf3 * Filmed more than usual, thinking it might be the last time. Since the encounter with Uf1, I now realize the ducklings haven’t decreased! 08:02 Xf5-48 safe! They’ve grown beautifully. 10:32 エf5-34 just about to take a nap! 11:49 ★ Duckling fell down lol so cute 13:45 ★ Duckling went under the mother’s shadow! * After this, I went searching for Sf9 one last time… 15:42 Pf2-57 – Unbothered even with crows nearby * So happy to meet Pf again! The distinct feature of this mother could be a great example if I ever did a “how to identify mother ducks” lesson (though I probably won’t—early on I tracked mostly by duckling count, so my first-year IDs are likely wrong). 18:52 Juvenile moorhen, 68 days old * Same as last time—only ever seen one, no parents. Moorhens are mysterious; sometimes their chicks climb slopes out of the pond or vanish suddenly—you never know where they’re being raised. 19:28 ★ Juvenile moorhen intensely chasing a carp * I wondered what the circling was about—turns out it was chasing a carp I’ve recorded many “mysterious moorhen–carp interactions” over the years. Someday I want to compile them. 20:49 Downstream, saw a lone duck swimming in the tributary * Thought it might be オf2—but it wasn’t. Walked the parenting zone too but couldn’t find オf2, キf3, Of2, or イf4. 21:24 Tf8 napping * And with that, this marks the end of this year’s daily filming! I did my best! I wanted to confirm Tf8’s count and also film Uf1 (who fought with アf3 on day one) on the same day, but couldn’t find them. Killed time shopping—bought lots of frozen pasta—and wondered, “Has Tf8 woken up yet?” 23:18 Duckling calls… what…!? A new family, and they’re left behind… * Maybe spoiled already by the thumbnail, but this was completely unexpected—and abandoned. It took me a moment to reset my mindset, but… we have to wait for the mother to return! 23:46 Ducklings look about 10 days old? Labeling as シf6-10. Ducklings napping alone. 29:50 Distant duck calls… probably the mother!! * Seems the mother was nearby when the separation happened, and the ducklings came down on their own. 30:24 Missed the moment of シf mother reuniting with the ducklings Filmed afterward. * The mother had a reddish chest; for a moment I wondered if コf3-14 actually had more ducklings—but the feathers were a different mother. 38:35 ★ Startled by a fish—koi! 40:28 Heard only calls ♪ Rose-ringed parakeets * Sounded like a lot of them, but couldn’t spot any. 41:12 ★ シf6 landed on a small island—so cool! * Tf8 was napping in the back while シf6 moved upstream. 41:41 ★ Juvenile white wagtail 47:13 Tf8 starting to wake up, but still relaxed * Originally I was waiting for Tf8 to wake up, but… I’ll be filming tomorrow anyway, so it’s fine lol. 50:42 シf6 chose not to climb the rapids * シf mother’s left wing has missing primaries—gives her a very rugged look. 54:04 シf mother started napping… but the ducklings didn’t come 57:51 ★ Duckling diving clearly visible 59:24 Only 2 ducklings went for a nap 1:02:12 ★ Finally, all ducklings napping! Peaceful to watch. 1:04:40 ★ Juvenile kingfisher bathing? Diving! Small beak—so cute. 1:06:43 Oh no… Tf8 approaching シf6’s nesting spot… * Oh no. I was about to leave after filming シf sleeping faces, but now I have to watch. Can’t tell if Tf8 still has all 8 ducklings. Looks like the ducklings noticed シf母—very little movement. 1:10:05 ★ ① Tf duckling approached, シf母 threatened, which angered Tf母 シf fled 1:11:44 ★ ② Tf duckling approached, シf母 threatened, which angered Tf母 1:13:01 シf6 cornered! Mother escaped up the rapids; ducklings hid in the bushes. 1:14:19 シf ducklings climbing the rapids! Will all 6 make it!? 1:15:33 シf6 all together!! Thank goodness… 1:16:25 Tf duckling went too far and called for mother, but she was waiting for the stragglers * Subtle, but Tf母 often does this. * シf6 fled further upstream as Tf ducklings approached. 1:18:56 The Tf duckling that went ahead came back 1:20:30 ★ シf ducklings interrupted their nap—sleepy? Carp scare Heading for the floodgate… 1:23:55 ★ シf母 climbing the floodgate! Ducklings staging a gorgeous boycott 1:26:07 ★ They finally went! Climbed the first step! * If they can climb here, they can go all the way. Two ducklings took a climbable path, but the mother didn’t notice. 1:27:48 Ducks present above the floodgate 1:28:13 ★ シf母 flew up above… 1:29:16 ★ Duckling went behind the waterfall… not coming out. 1:30:47 シf母 chasing off other ducks above… * Didn’t attack one that was there already—maybe the father? (But then it was attacked later so probably not.) From this distance it was hard to tell. Easy to lose track of シf母 too. 1:32:42 Another duck came down. The one above is シf母; ducklings are still behind the falls… * Wasn’t confident while filming, so I captured both. 1:34:08 Two ducklings came out from behind the falls, シf母 noticed and went down! 1:34:54 ★ Carp rushing here was terrifying…! 1:34:57 Wait… シf母 went down with only 2 ducklings… シf2 and the other 4 behind the falls * I’ve seen young ducklings use this spot before—it should be okay. The mother moved to a nearby sleeping spot. I thought they’d reunite soon, but… 1:37:58 Tf family arrived at the worst timing… シf2 went downriver… oh no… * Tf8—I only counted 7 ducklings. Earlier I thought I counted 8, but during the シf encounter I only saw 7 too. Assuming they’re okay, keeping it as Tf8, but apologies if this causes confusion. 1:39:12 シf2 went downriver but headed back toward the floodgate! Good—but the other 4 still missing. 1:40:31 Tf family moved under the falls… シf ducklings 4 should be behind there—scary… 1:42:47 There! Saw the ducklings behind the waterfall! Tf and シf2 positions noted. 1:45:13 Tf8 mother and several ducklings went down; シf2 fled into the bushes. 1:46:08 シf母 and the 2 returned to the floodgate, but the 4 ducklings didn’t come out… 1:47:24 Position of the ducklings behind the falls and the mother. Maybe they haven’t noticed each other… 1:47:52 Confirmed the 4 ducklings behind the falls… are they just chilling? * Around this time I started suffering from the heat—low on prep and water. I wanted to see the reunion, but no shade… debated leaving… 1:53:21 ★ シf2 went down again… not good. 3 leftover Tf ducklings went down too. 1:55:33 シf2 went down… and came back again! 1:56:29 ★ Duckling sleeping in シf母’s shadow; can’t find the ones behind the falls… 1:57:27 ★ The 4 ducklings are out of the falls!! 1:58:53 The 4 ducklings and the mother seem to hear each other’s calls but… 2:00:10 ★ They noticed! Reunion!! But the 2 that were with the mother aren’t here 2:00:23 ★ Ah, the 2 came too! Hard to see, but all 6 reunited! * I didn’t notice during filming and searched a bit, but they were all there at this point. 2:01:38 ★ シf6 all going down the rapids together, back to the sleeping spot ▲▲▲ End of timestamps * From the moment the ducklings went behind the waterfall to the reunion—it was a full 2 hours… The 4 behind the falls stayed there for 2 hours without seeking the mother. 11:10 to 13:10… I was at my absolute limit. Ran home, cold shower, and devoured 3 thawed frozen pastas (delicious). I’m finally recovering. So… couldn’t find Sf9, and it’s bittersweet ending the daily uploads at 77 days… but in the very last moment, a new family! If I hadn’t gone shopping, I wouldn’t have met them—lucky but completely unexpected. Captured napping scenes, then the Tf encounter extended it, and the 2 hours after the waterfall… absolute hell But I’m glad I stuck it out. The spot is in the parenting zone, so I’ll keep tracking from tomorrow! Also, I still have 4 more thawed frozen pastas, so I’ll do my best to eat them! * 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/2025/07/0728f.html