Meet the Shelduck Ducklings - and Their Penguin Mum

Say Hello to the Shelduck Squad 🐥

These gorgeous little pūtangitangi (paradise shelduck) ducklings came into our care and immediately stole our hearts. Shelducks need company to thrive — they're highly social birds who do much better with others around them, which is something we always keep in mind when caring for ducklings.

Enter: The Penguin

When we have ducklings without a mum, we give them a surrogate — and our penguin plushie has been an absolute legend in this role. 💕 The ducklings snuggle up to it for warmth and comfort, and it genuinely helps with their stress levels. It's one of those little things that makes a big difference.

What Shelduck Ducklings Eat

Their diet is carefully managed — chopped greens, oats, and shallow water to dabble in. We make sure they have everything they need to grow strong and develop those all-important waterproofing oils before release. Watching them go from tiny stripy fluffballs to confident little swimmers is one of the best parts of this job.

Every duckling that makes it back to the wild is a win for Wellington's waterways. 🌿

For more chick raising chaos, meet the pūkeko chicks of Flock, or peek inside the Flock kitchen to see what everyone eats.

Related reading: our chaotic pūkeko chicks and our guide to Wellington's most searched bird rescue questions.