One-Winged Eider Duck Adopted By Icelandic Family

A female eider duck who had an unfortunate accident has found a new lease on life with an Icelandic family who took her in, RÚV reports. Her adoptive family believes she considers herself a dog or even a person rather than a bird.

The tale begins in Önundarfjörður, in the Westfjords, where the Reykjavík family owns a house. It was there they found the duck, who had lost a wing to a stray cat. The family agreed it would be cruel to let her fend for herself in the wild in her condition, and so they opted to take her in.

She lives in Reykjavík now with the family, comprised of four people and a dog. By all accounts, she has adapted to her new life quickly. When asked how the duck has adjusted to her new life, Ragnheiður Ólafsdóttir, the mother of the family, told reporters, “Just amazingly well, she’s part of the family. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done but still unbelievably fun.”

The duck has reportedly met other ducks since moving in, but Ragnheiður says, “It’s more likely she considers herself a dog or a person rather than a bird,” and indeed, in the video footage accompanying the reporting, the duck and the family dog appear to get on rather well.

While they have not decided on what the future of the duck will be, they are in agreement that she will not end up on the dinner table: half the family are vegetarian, and the other half not much for foul. Quite the lucky duck, indeed.