Imagine a serene New Zealand lake, its surface shimmering under the sun, only to discover a chilling scene unfolding beneath the tranquility: ducks turning predators. This is exactly what happened in Canterbury's Mackenzie basin, where three mallard ducks were euthanised after being caught preying on the chicks of the native pūteketeke, a bird that captured global hearts in 2023. But here's where it gets controversial—was this an isolated incident, or are we witnessing a disturbing new behavior among ducks? Let’s dive into the details.
Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers were stunned when a concerned citizen submitted photos of the mallards hunting and killing freshly hatched pūteketeke chicks near Lake Alexandrina, south of Lake Tekapo. The pūteketeke, also known as the Australasian crested grebe, had recently gained international fame thanks to comedian John Oliver’s campaign to crown it the Bird of the Century. The graphic images of the chicks being eaten alive left conservationists horrified, as such predatory behavior from ducks is highly unusual.
In a press release, Dean Nelson, principal biodiversity ranger, explained that mallards are primarily herbivores, feeding on plant material with occasional protein from insects and snails during breeding season. “Seeing them attack pūteketeke chicks was shocking,” Nelson said. “We immediately investigated and found three mallards actively scouting pūteketeke nests for chicks. The adult pūteketeke, unaware of the danger, didn’t perceive the ducks as a threat.”
This behavior was so unprecedented that DOC experts were left baffled, with concerns that it could spread as ducks learn from one another. Nelson referenced a 2017 study by a Cambridge University scientist, which documented mallards in Romania attacking and eating the chicks of two common bird species—a behavior described as a “world first.” The study suggested the ducks might have been seeking protein before nesting, raising questions about whether this could be a growing trend.
The alert citizen who reported the incident played a crucial role by providing photographic evidence. “This is a perfect example of how the public can be our eyes and ears in nature,” Nelson noted. “While some mistakenly believe the pūteketeke is introduced due to its name, it’s actually native and classified as nationally vulnerable. Public engagement is vital, as our rangers can’t monitor every area.”
Last December, campers and boaters around Lake Benmore were urged to watch out for pūteketeke after reports of disturbed nests at the Ōhau C campground. The colony typically has 40 to 50 nests annually, with birds raising their young later than usual in the outlet creek near Lake Alexandrina. DOC staff swiftly captured the three offending ducks using nets, removed them from the site, and humanely euthanised them. Rangers also conducted follow-up checks to ensure no other ducks had adopted this predatory behavior.
And this is the part most people miss—while the euthanisation of the ducks was necessary to protect the vulnerable pūteketeke, it raises broader questions about wildlife management and the role of humans in altering animal behaviors. Could habitat changes or food scarcity be driving ducks to prey on other birds? Or is this a rare, isolated incident? What do you think? Is this a one-off case, or a sign of something more troubling in our ecosystems? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about conservation and the delicate balance of nature.
