We named Nood-a-Duck after Frosty (Noods), our albino cockatiel. Not only did Nood-a-Duck share the same color as Frosty, she was just as funny! Noods was always the first and loudest duck to greet us at the pond. She would call, "WAHHH wahh wahh wahhhh WAHH wah wah!" as soon as the car pulled up, then scramble down the hill to meet us.
Nood-a-Duck was always in motion, whether running around us or wandering through the flock. Occasionally, she'd trip over those reddish feet of hers and wind up tumbling onto her breast. Sometimes she'd even look back at us, as if to check and see if we noticed! After shaking her feathers into place, she was back in action.Although she laid eggs in the spring of 2000, we did not see her with any ducklings. Unfortunately, on April 18, 2001, I found Nood-a-Duck's body on the busy street next to the pond. She was killed by a passing vehicle. We think she was either crossing the street to look for a nesting area or was accidentally chased into the street by the males during courtship.
The death of Nood-a-Duck serves as a reminder to be careful and alert while driving. That "thing" you see in the street could be a wild animal, someone's pet, or even a child.
The Ponds
