| Avoids |
| Evades |
| Pond denizens |
| They wear down |
| Stoops suddenly |
| A brace of _____ |
| Anaheim NHL team |
| Manages to avoid |
| Teal, wigeon etc |
| Avoids a beanball |
| Birds that waddle |
| Drakes' companions |
| Teals and mallards |
| Huey, Louie and Dewey |
| 2-2, in Texas hold 'em |
| Avoids a blow, in a way |
| Shooting gallery targets |
| University of Oregon team |
| Lowers oneself for safety's sake |
| Birds — term of endearment (informal) |
| Waterfowl whose young inspired this puzzle's theme |