“They come to the door and quack.”
When Amber and Marvin Gilbert moved into their new home in August 2024, they were touched to find a bouquet of flowers and a handwritten card waiting for them, a thoughtful gesture from the previous owners. They expected warm wishes or maybe a few tips about the neighborhood—but what they got was something much more… feathery.
“In the card, they had written that every April, some ducks come to visit,” Amber told The Dodo.
It was a charming, if slightly puzzling, note. Were these ducks just passing through? Were they… now the Gilberts’ responsibility? With April still months away, they tucked the mystery away in the back of their minds.
Then, on March 12th—earlier than expected—the mystery waddled to life.
“They came early, and it was my husband who spotted them first,” Amber said.
At first, just a pair arrived, affectionately named Rodney and Jess. But soon, more ducks began to show up—and it quickly became clear that this wasn’t a casual visit. The ducks were regulars, and they knew the routine.
“They come to the door and quack,” Amber laughed. “If we haven’t put enough food out, they will literally walk up to the door and quack for more.”
Since that first surprise visit, the ducks have returned every single day. Sometimes it’s just Rodney. Other times Jess tags along, or a trio of males make an appearance. The lineup may change, but the visits never stop.
“It could be just one male or the pair or the three males—but they always come back,” Amber said. “Sometimes even more than once a day.”
What started as a curious footnote in a welcome card has become a delightful part of the Gilberts’ daily life. They’ve embraced the ducks wholeheartedly—going so far as to set up a special little pool just for them.
They may not have planned on adopting a whole flock of feathered neighbors, but as far as the Gilberts are concerned, the ducks were here first.
They came with the house—and they’re here to stay. 🦆🏡