It is difficult but not impossible to capture a duck that can fly.
Put out a bowl of dry or wet dogfood with a bowl of water beside it.
Ducks love dog food. Wet is good for injured ducks because they will then get some water as they eat, to stave off dehydration, which is fatal.
If you have a small net, hide it behind your back as you approach the duck(s). Don’t let them see it. You might then be able to quickly net the duck while s/he is eating.
Put cracked corn (from a feed store like Southern States) in a DEEP BOWL for a bill-injured duck. Always put a bowl of water next to the food – a bowl that will not tip over.
The best way to catch a duck when not using a net (and even under the net) is by the neck. If the duck is eating and you can get close, quickly grab the duck around the neck, then pull the duck toward your chest and hold him/her gently and firmly, being sure to hold the wings against the bird’s body, for control.
DO NOT TRY TO GRAB A DUCK BY THE WING OR WINGS. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. THE NECK IS THE BODY PART TO GO FOR.
If you can corner the duck in the corner of the house, in an L-shaped space, it may be possible to grab the duck. Two people might be better than one.
If you can get the duck into a garage (with the food), close the garage door immediately and use a SMALL NET to capture the duck. Make sure that a duck who can fly doesn’t panic and try to fly at a pane of glass, which could result in a broken neck. The darker the interior, the better for catching. Be very quiet.
As a bill-injured duck (any injured duck) gets weaker from hunger & thirst, s/he may be more likely to approach the food and water you put out. You could keep placing the food/water closer to an enclosure, such as a garage. Secure the enclosure immediately, when the duck is inside.
If you try these approaches, and fail to capture the duck, do not blame yourself. It is very difficult to catch a duck who can fly and run fast, and an injured duck can be even more difficult to catch than a non-injured duck.
This information is from a wild bird rescuer in Virginia Beach, Virginia USA, Sandra Krebs: 757.486.8313.
Karen Davis, President
United Poultry Concerns
PO Box 150, Machipongo, VA 23405.
757.678.7875
karen@upc-online.org
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United Poultry Concerns, Inc.