Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

New duck house built for Appalachian’s campus flock

View larger image

A floating shelter for campus ducks was installed on the Appalachian Duck Pond Monday. The block A logo on the shelter’s roof is made of recycled metal. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image

Ducks swimming in the duck pond at Appalachian in 1967. The pond was installed on Appalachian’s campus in 1927. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Archives and Records

By Jan Todd
Posted Dec. 5, 2018 at 1:15 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Campus ducks have new digs at the Appalachian State University Duck Pond. A 64-square-foot floating shelter was installed Monday to provide the ducks a safe nesting area and refuge from stormy weather.

The duck pond, located near the corner of Rivers Street and Stadium Drive, has been a landmark on campus since it was installed in 1927, according to the Appalachian historical timeline. For decades, students and visitors have enjoyed watching and feeding the ducks.

Each year, particularly when the weather turns cold and snowy, the Office of the Chancellor receives emails and calls with inquiries about the welfare of the ducks. Some express concern over the safety of the birds in cold weather. Others ask if the ducks’ wings have been clipped so they’ll stay on campus, preventing migration that might naturally occur when the pond freezes over.

Dr. Lynn Siefferman, an ornithologist and associate professor in Appalachian’s Department of Biology, said the campus ducks are mallards, domestic Muscovy ducks and hybrids — all breeds that can withstand very cold temperatures. The ducks have very thick down under their top feathers, making the birds well suited for Boone’s winter climate.

“The ducks’ wings are not clipped, and the birds are free to fly or migrate as they wish,” Siefferman said. “Although mallards often migrate, many mallards overwinter in the southeastern state.”

Siefferman explained much of the campus duck population is probably feral domestic stock, so they do not migrate in the traditional sense. Also, some of the mallards might be visitors — those that breed farther north and spend the winter in Boone.

The mallard is omnivorous and very flexible in its choice of food, so Siefferman said feeding them is neither necessary nor harmful.

View larger image

Campus ducks now have a floating shelter, pictured in background, on the Appalachian Duck Pond. According to biology professor Dr. Lynn Siefferman, Appalachian's ducks are mallards, domestic Muscovy ducks and hybrids.

In response to concerns expressed by well-meaning bird lovers, Siefferman consulted with other ornithologists about the construction of a shelter for the ducks. It was agreed that while the ducks don’t need a house, it would not be a detriment to their natural way of life to have one.

Wayne Hicks, carpentry supervisor for Appalachian’s Physical Plant, was commissioned to design and build the duck shelter.

“I looked on the internet to come up with a design that would work best for us,” he said. “The house floats to keep the ducks safe from predators — mainly dogs that are loose and raccoons.”

The duck house is constructed of pressure treated wood and painted metal and is “as maintenance free as it can be,” Hicks said.

View larger image

Ducks swimming in the duck pond at Appalachian in 1967. The pond was installed on Appalachian’s campus in 1927. Photo courtesy of Appalachian State University Archives and Records

About the Department of Biology

The Department of Biology is a community of teacher-scholars, with faculty representing the full breadth of biological specializations — from molecular genetics to landscape/ecosystem ecology. The department seeks to produce graduates with sound scientific knowledge, the skills to create new knowledge, and the excitement and appreciation of scientific discovery. Learn more at https://biology.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian’s Facilities Operations

Facilities Operations at Appalachian State University manages operations of campus buildings, systems and utilities, as well as water treatment and steam plants that serve the campus. Services provided by Facilities Operations include housekeeping, landscaping, moving furniture and other items, and managing motor pool fleet rentals. The campus unit employees over 275 skilled technicians — including engineers, locksmiths, electricians, painters, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, welders, controls programmers, housekeepers, landscapers, mechanics and HVAC technicians. Learn more at https://facilitiesoperations.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Health and Wellness
  • Sustainability

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Health and Wellness
  • Sustainability

Other Recent Posts

  • App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
    App State awarded $2.3M to advance innovation in NC agriculture
  • Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
    Kristen S. Bonatz appointed general counsel and vice chancellor of institutional integrity at App State
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted June 4
  • App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
    App State student-athletes extend 3.0 GPA streak to 26 straight semesters
  • App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
    App State nursing program receives $1 million commitment from Bedford Falls Foundation
  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat