- This video can be used for comparison to the one on geese.
- For Mallards only the hen takes care of the kids for Geese both parents take care of them.
- For more information you can look at Drilling, Nancy, Rodger Titman and Frank Mckinney. 2002. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/658
- In North America, the Mallard is the most abundant duck species.
- Majority of pairs form on wintering grounds, far in advance of breeding.
- Female begins searching for a nest site within 5–10 d of establishing home range.
- Pair searches by making low circling flights over the area, usually in evening; alight and female walks into cover; male walks nearby or waits outside cover. Female makes several scrapes during days before first egg laid.
- Hen also pulls and bends tall vegetation over to conceal herself and nest. After incubation begins, plucks down from breast to line nest and cover eggs.
- Ducklings usually depart on morning after hatching, depending on weather.
- Only hen cares for ducklings. Ducklings feed themselves without assistance.
- Young ducks able to fly and independent at approximately 52–70 d.
- How do the youngsters learn how and when to migrate?
- Learn local area by accompanying other birds; may stay in natal area throughout autumn until migration. Flying juveniles join adult flocks in autumn to migrate; subordinate to adults their first winter.
