Rare Injured Arctic Duck Rescued in Indiana
A Good Samaritan and her daughter rescued Rosealini, a rare long-tailed duck from the Arctic, found bleeding in the middle of a town street. The Indiana community came together to rehabilitate and release the unexpected visitor back to nature
By Beth Snider · December 29, 2023
A mother and daughter in Greenfield, Indiana played a vital role in rescuing and rehabilitating Rosealini, a long-tailed duck from the Arctic. Aubrey Althoff and her 7-year-old daughter, RazLynn, made the discovery while en route to Weston Elementary School. Spotting a duck in distress and bleeding in the middle of Fourth Street, they realized it needed immediate help. Despite initial challenges in catching the elusive duck, Aubrey successfully secured the injured bird discovering blood on its chest and an inability to fly.
Aubrey, initially thinking the duck was a “toddler duck” due to its small size and unique blue markings, soon learned it was a long-tailed duck, a migratory species rarely seen outside of the Arctic region. The bird’s condition indicated it needed assistance, prompting her to seek guidance from the community on Facebook, leading her to the Hancock Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, owned by Jennifer Hancock.
Rosealini, christened by RazLynn with a touch of personal connection, spent several days at the rehabilitation center under Jennifer’s care. Contrary to initial fears the duck had no significant injuries, it was just weakened from its adventures and needed rest and recovery. The blood on its chest was attributed to the emergence of a new feather.
The certified rehabber expressed her surprise at encountering a long-tailed duck in person, emphasizing that such species are rarely sighted outside of the Arctic region. This little duck was found in the heart of Greenfield, away from any significant bodies of water. Despite the peculiar circumstances, the rehabilitation efforts were successful.
After days of care and recovery, Rosealini was deemed fit enough to return to the wild. On the day after Christmas, the mother and daughter were invited to participate in the release, letting their newfound friend soar back into nature. The release took place at an undisclosed location in Hancock County, marking the end of a heartwarming journey that united a community in the spirit of compassion.
The Long-tailed Duck is a captivating Arctic breeder that exhibits striking plumage variations between black and white in summer and winter. Known for its exceptional diving abilities, reaching depths of 200 feet, it spends significantly more time underwater than other ducks. The unique molting pattern shifts from winter to nonbreeding plumage in spring worn throughout summer. Birdwatchers are recommended to use spotting scopes to observe their distinctive yodeling calls.