How many ducks are too many? Taylor has finally said “enough is enough” when it comes to the number of semiaquatic, web-footed avians in town.
This week, the city announced its Duck Responsibly initiative, designed to curb overpopulation among the local waterfowl.
“The reality is the duck population in and around our parks has gotten out of control. Our Duck Responsibly campaign is designed to educate people about the negative impact feeding ducks can have on both the birds and our environment, as well as introduce humane population control,” said Betsy Schultz, interim director of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Mallards, northern pintails and black-bellied whistling ducks all call City Lake in Murphy Park home.
But the largest population of ducks in Taylor is the Muscovy, and that breed has become problematic, officials said.
Recognizable by the bumpy red glands on their faces, Muscovy ducks are considered an invasive species. Originally migratory, many choose to stay in Taylor year-round. They breed at a faster rate than other ducks and they crossbreed creating more hybrid ducks and reducing the number of other duck breeds.
Environmental hazards include:
• Picnic tables in Murphy Park and Bull Branch Park are frequently contaminated with duck feces, making them unsafe for families to eat at.
• Duck waste is almost constantly present on the play structures and on the walkways.
• Feces carry bacteria including E. coli and salmonella, which contaminate water and soil.
“We are cleaning feces off our driveways, sidewalks, porches and railings and on vehicles every day,” resident Jackie Krueger told City Council last June. “Last year’s drought restrictions had us using a broom and a bucket of water multiple times a day. Then if you drive through it, it’s in your garage and can be carried into your home on your shoes.”
During that 2025 meeting, the parks department introduced the concept of controlling Muscovy breeding through the practice of egg addling, a method of ensuring the majority of eggs in a nest do not hatch. The method is considered humane and approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Since the birds are invasive, they cannot be relocated so the only other option besides reducing successful hatching would be euthanizing the adult birds.
Funding for the egg-addling program was added into the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Since ducks do not typically lay eggs over winter, it was earmarked to start in spring and is now being launched as part of the Duck Responsibly initiative.
The egg addling program will be carried out by Wildernex LLC, a private wildlife control company that specializes in humanely resolving conflicts with nuisance wildlife. Their services are provided by trained wildlife biologists and are certified by TPWD.
In addition to population control, Taylor's Duck Responsibly campaign will also encourage people to enjoy the ducks at a distance. Signs and social-media posts will urge residents to not feed the ducks — including bread — by highlighting the danger to both the ducks and the environment that human foods can lead to.
Residents who are having problems with ducks or who want to report ducks nesting in their yards can reach out to the city for help by emailing [email protected].
