Collecting Ducks: Tips From an Obsessed Duck Collector

My thing is ducks. I have several hundred around my house. I had to box many of them up because I am still working on a way to display them. I began my collection seven years ago when ducks became my theme to life. It's a long story, but it involves me finding my identity in the midst of personal trials. A friend helped me discover the key to myself again, and it involved ducks. Because of that, ducks remind me to be true to myself. Another friend, who had firsthand knowledge of the duck event, gave me my first duck. It was a bright yellow TY Beanie Baby duck with a straw hat.

My family and friends know about my obsession with ducks and this makes gift giving easy for them. When I had my gallbladder removed last winter, my mother brought over a large yellow stuffed duck. I named him "Ouch."

I go nuts at Easter, when lots of new duck toys can be found everywhere. I only buy one or two, but I wish I could buy all of them!

My favorite ducks are Ouch, and my little purple squawking duckie. He looks mad at the world and he has the angriest squawk I have ever heard. My granddaughter loves the mad little duckie too.

I have been amazed to find that there are thousands of fellow duck collectors around the world. My MySpace profile is duck themed and I have found many MySpace friends who also have duck themed profiles. Some of those profiles are actually someone's pet duck. These people help me feel normal. My family is always making fun of my ducks.

For people who love ducks and would like to start collecting them, the easiest thing to do is to tell people you collect ducks. They will buy them for you. Every spring and summer, I visit yard sales and flea markets looking for old books and ducks. These are the places to find unique duck figurines. I bought a duck painting for five dollars at a flea market a couple of years ago.

The Oriental Trading Company has a wide selection of themed rubber ducks. You have to buy them in bulk, but for the avid collector, those rubber ducks are must-have items.

The springtime is the best time to begin a collection. You can find duck figurines at dollar stores. You can find duck stuffed animals in any retail store from drug stores to major department stores. You can find duck toys in all the toy stores and discount department stores. But if you really love ducks, don't wait until spring to start your collection. Visit the indoor flea markets during the fall and winter months. Party supply stores usually carry duck items year-round.

If you are searching for the right gift for a duck collector, there is one important thing to remember: not every bird is a duck. I have had many people give be baby chick items. They are chickens, not ducks. Susie's Zoo is a great children's name brand that carry's duck related items. Ducks Unlimited is a non-profit organization, but you can find their brand on many clothing items. M. R. Ducks is an East Coast name brand of clothing that most duck collectors love.

There are some great websites for avid collectors who specialize in their collecting. If you collect duck decoys, this a great listing of available items for sale through Ruby Lane. Rubber duckie collectors can gather online through Duck Planet. Duck stamp collector also have their own website with the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society.