Muscovy duck offers Earth Day surprise for Round Rock wellness center

This year’s Earth Day came with a few surprises: Fourteen surprises, in fact, all waddling and quacking just in time for the holiday.

A muscovy duck named mAGEy (pronounced “Maggie”) from the pond in Round Rock West City Park laid 17 eggs in early March at the AGE of Central Texas Thrive Social & Wellness Center. Staff at the center, which serves adults with cognitive or physical limitations, provided their new neighbor with food and shelter as she prepared for motherhood. By Earth Day April 22, mAGEy welcomed 14 healthy hatchlings.

Lauren Greenwade, program director for the Thrive Center, called the duck’s presence a “beautiful distraction.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s been amazing,” she said. “It's been a huge community builder for us. Momma mAGEy had no idea what she was doing when she came and said, ‘Oh, this looks like a safe place to lay my eggs.’ But we’re thankful she did, especially during these times.”

The ducklings quickly became the stars of the center’s YouTube channel through a series of videos of mAGEy and her family were dubbed “Momma Duck Watch.” The videos gave the Thrive Center’s members, who’ve been unable to visit due to social distancing guidelines, a way to keep up with the brood.

“We’ve been sending pictures and videos to our members every day as we’ve tried to keep them motivated at home,” Greenwade said. “They’re always asking for more mAGEy content and to know how the babies are. So that’s been our interaction with them and their caregivers since March 20.”

Greenwade took the role of videographer for the YouTube channel, catching adorable moments of mAGEy’s ducklings for the community to enjoy.

“I've learned so much, but it has definitely been a struggle for this 60-year-old brain,” she said. “It’s been a huge challenge just trying to figure out how to do it all.”

Staff at the center enjoys their daily interaction as much as its members.

“Before they hatched, we read that too much moisture could hurt the eggs. So we built a little tent to protect them,” Greenwade said. “I came over every weekend to check on mAGEy and feed her.

“It’s been a blessing, she’s really brought even more happiness to our facility,” she said.

On April 23, mAGEy and her family were released back into the pond at the Round Rock West City Park by center staff and city animal control. Five ducklings have been retained and will be cared for “as an insurance population against predation,” said Rob Faubion, the center's communications director.

“We’ve become so protective of the ducklings,” Greenwade said. “We’re happy they're back home and I’m glad the pond is right across the street from us. We love them so much!”

Watch videos of Age of Central Texas’ muscovy duck, mAGEy, at tinyurl.com/mageyduck.