Are mallard ducks illegal in California?

Question

I've been recently thinking about incubating a duck egg(s). I was wondering if they are illegal to own in California. I've been searching for info about this but I can't find the list of illegal animals. Oh, and if you can tell me any other useful information, that would be nice, like (I'm thinking that after hatching and taking care of it for a while I can relase it to a pond with other mallards) if I have to teach it anything, like foraging for food etc. before releasing it. I wouldn't want to hatch the duck if I can't take care of it correctly.

Thanks,
Aly

Answer 1

Mallard Ducks..."are protected by Federal Law and can not be harmed, possessed or moved..." unless you have the proper permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Under no circumstances can the nest be moved once the female has laid her first egg. Individuals are also prohibited from "...possessing the animal dead or alive, or possessing nesting material or eggs."



Any State or Migratory bird are protected by Federal Law. I am State licensed for only non migratory birds, if anyone turns over a migratory bird I have to contact the state so they can send a licensed Federal caretaker.



If you want to raise ducks there are many other species that is legal to raise. The thing about Mallard Ducks is they are mostly found in the the North East and in Canada.



I do have a source for where you order ducks or eggs. Check out the link below to Strombergs.



Sapphyre

Certified Avian Specialist

www.borrowed-rainbow.com

Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/

Answer 2

Ducks Of California

Answer 3

I am pretty sure it is illegal to own a mallard. If you incubate eggs and one turns out to be a mallard, I think you will be okay as long as you release them into the place you originally found the eggs. Every spring I take my kids to a pond near our home and let the kids go on a duck egg hunt. We bring the eggs home and incubate them. It takes about 3 weeks for them to hatch. After they hatch we keep them in our backyard with a little kiddy pool, bringing them in at night for warmth. They grow so fast...when they shed there down feathers and get all of their adult feathers we take them back to the pond and release them. For many months to follow we visit and make sure they have adjusted and are okay, most the time they come right over to us. It is a really fun experience, great for the kids. Hope this info helped you, good luck to you and your hatchlings!!

Answer 4

I have mallard/mixed ducks and their right hind toe is cut off BUT when they had babies I could not find it in my heart to cut off their tiny toes ! How can I prove they are just mallard cross bred ducks?

Answer 5

In my state you would need a "duck stamp" and also only hunt during duck season. It is illegal to kill any wild life. Even snakes... although people do that all the time. Check with your game and fish commission people. If you don't know who they are, just call city hall. They're good at sending you to the right place.

Answer 6

mallard ducks are native migratory birds and as such are protected by the migratory bird act. i would avoid it as its more of a headache and may be costly if you are fined.



you may be able to get away with it if you have the propper documentation proving it was legally bred and sold but i think you asking for trouble.



if you really must have one contact the federal government for a permit

Answer 7

Mallards are wild, migratory birds and I don't think it's legal to own them anywhere. We have a treaty with Mexico and Canada.



See http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/intrnltr/treatlaw.html#mbta



It's perfectly legal to raise domestic ducks, but not mallards.

Answer 8

We purchased our ducks from a farm in California called Metzer Farms. They raise ducks for a variety of purposes, including for sale as pets



http://www.liveducks.com/faqs.html

Answer 9

simple answer is no