Sign of Spring: Shedd Aquarium Welcomes Six Wood Ducklings

Spring is in the air at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, which just welcomed six fuzzy wood ducklings into the world. Wood ducks are a species native to the Great Lakes region and beyond, and the arrival of ducklings is a common symbol of the change in season.

The ducklings were born to a first-time mother, who is very protective of her young, as she would be in the wild. She is constantly watching over the young birds, who spend their first days imprinting on mom. This is a critical step that bonds the ducklings to the mother. After imprinting, the ducklings will follow her around for safety and food. As they get older, the ducklings will grow and get more independent, exploring the habitat on their own.

Guests can visit the mother duck and her hatchlings in Shedd’s At Home on the Great Lakes exhibit, though a privacy board covers half of the exhibit to provide them with the option to rest out of sight if they’d like. Native to the Great Lakes region, wild wood ducks can be seen similarly rearing young throughout the spring season. Shedd is happy to showcase an important local species and reminds guests that if they see eggs or ducklings in the wild, remember to leave them where they are and give them space.