Do ducks kill the lead bird if they are flown into danger?

Ducks flying in a V formation do not purposefully kill the lead duck if the group is headed for danger. The lead bird is often one of the strongest fliers in the formation, and it sets a pace and direction that the other ducks can follow. If the lead bird faces a hazard, such as a severe weather front or a predator, it may adjust its course to avoid danger, and the other ducks will do the same.