Mallard

Mallard nests are often located some distance from water and are typically on the ground and concealed by vegetation. Especially in urban areas, nests may also be found in unusual places such as in a flowerpot or planter, under landscape shrubbery in a parking lot or even on a rooftop. The mother hen lays 6-14 creamy to greenish buff-colored eggs. She will not sit on her nest to begin incubating the eggs until all the eggs have been laid. Once she starts to incubate, it will be about 26-30 days before the eggs hatch.

Mallard ducklings are born with their eyes open and have a covering of downy feathers, but they are highly dependent on their mother for warmth and protection from predators. Within about 24 hours of hatching, the mother will lead her ducklings from their nest to water. They will not return to the nest. The downy ducklings are never more than a few feet away from their mother, and she will stay with her brood until the young can fly, approximately two months after hatching.

Tip: If a nest is found in a seemingly dangerous place (e.g. in a busy parking lot or on a rooftop) or if you are concerned about the hen getting the ducklings safely to water, call the DNR or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice before intervening. If you see a lone duckling or multiple ducklings without their mother, stop, look and listen for the mother and other siblings. If the rest of the family is not nearby or does not find the duckling(s) within an hour, please do not attempt to place a duckling with another duck family in the wild. If it is not the duckling's own family, the mother may reject the duckling and can even harm it by trying to drive it away.