Howard
Howard is a Silver Appleyard drake who was abandoned at a public park in Lewiston, Idaho. Still just a young boy and unable to fend for himself, Howard was discovered by a park ranger in heartbreaking condition—lethargic, underweight, weak, and in desperate need of care.
We brought Howard to the ranch, where he was given the love, safety, and care he needed to recover. With plenty of nutritious food and time to heal, Howard slowly regained his strength and put on some much-needed weight.
Today, Howard is thriving and enjoying life to the fullest. He loves hunting for worms in the mud, snacking on his favorite treat—blueberries—and spending time splashing and bathing in his pond. Howard is a happy, healthy boy now, and we are so grateful he found his way to Blackbird Ranch.
Quack
Quack was rescued in the spring of 2024 after being found alone at a local pond as a tiny baby. Quack is a Cayuga duck—a domestic breed—so we are certain that he had been abandoned. He was incredibly young, with only soft baby fuzz covering his body and none of his adult feathers yet.
Given his age and the timing of his abandonment, we believe it is possible that Quack was purchased as an Easter gift and later discarded when he was no longer wanted. Sadly, this is something that happens far too often.
Domestic ducks are not equipped to survive on their own in the wild. Unlike wild ducks, they have never needed to develop the skills necessary to forage for food, find safe shelter, or escape predators. They are, quite literally, “sitting ducks” when faced with danger.
Thankfully, a kind Good Samaritan made sure Quack found his way to safety and brought him to a local veterinary hospital, where we were able to take over his care and give him a permanent home.
Quack is a quiet and gentle duck who can be a little timid. We paired him with Howard, another calm and reserved duck with a very similar personality, and the two became instant best friends!
These days, Quack loves sticking his bill into the mud while searching for worms, but peas are definitely his favorite snack!
