Goodbye Lucky, The Colonial Crest Ducks

(Left to Right) Lucky, Sweetie, Clancy, and Snowball

Over the past five years, neighbors of the Crest have become quite attached to the white ducks at the pond. In fact, many of us count them on our walks by the pond to make sure they are all there! We love seeing them perching on the dock or laying eggs under the big tree at the pond. You can imagine that we were incredibly sad to learn that the black-green feathered duck, Lucky, was attacked by a predator and did not survive.

In the spring of 2020 during a stormy Friday night, four female ducks were simply dropped off at the pond. After two months, the Orlowski family (who live on the hill overlooking the pond) researched and found these were domesticated Muscovy ducks. The red bumpy area around their beaks, called caruncles, were the distinct, identifying factor. This breed of duck is friendly and intelligent, and is also known to control tick, mosquito, ant, and fly populations.

The Orlowski family quickly realized the four ducks would not survive long-term without other food and sprang into action. The ducks were named Lucky, Sweetie, Clancy, Snowball and given pellet feed every day. The Orlowskis also built a coop in their front yard for protection from predators and upcoming cold-winter nights. The ducks adapted well and remained free ranging under their care. Lisa has shared that it is a lot of work looking after these lovely birds. They spend most of their days and some summer nights at the pond, enjoying their life and for all to see.

In June of 2021, there was quite a scare! A non-resident man visited the pond, and his unleashed hound dog jumped in the water enthusiastically chasing the ducks. Lucky, Sweetie, Clancy, and Snowball were frantically quacking and diving under the water and swimming underwater for several feet at a time. Domesticated ducks cannot fly and have no other defense. Lisa Orlowski stepped in to stop the action and retrieve them. Lucky went missing and neighbors joined the search. Thankfully many hours later, she was found in a neighbor’s backyard and wobbled down Crestview Road and past the pond to her coop. The entire neighborhood was relieved.

In July of 2021, four ducks became three when Sweetie unexpectedly became sick and did not survive. With Lucky’s recent passing in 2025, we are down to two of the original group. Muscovy ducks live 8-12 years on average, which means we may have only a few years left with our beloved birds.

A special thank you to the Orlowski family, who took these ducks “under their wings” and care for them daily. It’s one of our neighborhood blessings.