For show quality judges have said our ducks are too chunky. Mallard Duck Nest The mallard hen builds a nest in natural depressions in the ground.

Then, usually in the early morning, the female leads them to water. Mallard Ducks start to fly for short spurts at 10-12 weeks and are flying very well by 16 weeks. During the mating season, male ducks will have very bright coloration in their plumage to attract mates. The male's colorful feathers is purpose-built to attract mates in mating season. After mating season, the male duck will molt and lose his bright coloration and resemble a female. The green shows prominently in most lights, but in deep shadow, the head may appear black or dark rather than showing the metallic green color. Mallards like sheltered spaces with a lot of vegetation, where the female can stay safe and camouflaged while she incubates her eggs. Identify the more colorful male duck.

We can not ship Mallards Ducks to Florida, North Dakota or Hawaii. We see them paddling along ponds in the afternoon, green heads bobbing, orange feet flashing beneath the waves, itty bitty fuzzy ducklings in tow, quacking away, perhaps tipping their beaks to passers-by or gobbling up bits of bread from generous octogenarians – the very picture of incorruptible, pure cuteness. The Mallard duck has a calm temperament and very good mothering ability. MALLARDS & DUCKLINGS, PAGE 1 OF 2 REVISED 3-29-06 Mallards and their ducklings Breeding season: spring through summer A week before egg-laying, the female exhibits persistent quacking- she is looking for nest sites- this occurs mostly in the evening- she is in the lead and the male is waiting nearby. Good nutrition and bright feathers also show other males that a mallard is healthy enough to fight and protect his territory, which is a feature that appeals to females. The Mallard Duck is the duck breed from which all breeds of domestic ducks, except the Muscovy, originate.

Head Color: Mallard drakes have a bright iridescent green head.


Female ducklings always seem to be vocalizing, especially as they get older. It is also at about 14-16 weeks that the males get their beautiful coloring - prior to that both the males and females are similarly colored in shades of brown.

MALLARDS & DUCKLINGS, PAGE 1 OF 2 REVISED 3-29-06 Mallards and their ducklings Breeding season: spring through summer A week before egg-laying, the female exhibits persistent quacking- she is looking for nest sites- this occurs mostly in the evening- she is in the lead and the male is waiting nearby. Mallard ducks can fly very well.

After mating season, the male duck will molt and lose his bright coloration and resemble a female. Mallard ducks are sexually dimorphic, which means the males and females look different to each other. The male, or drake, is the more distinctively colored of the mallards. Mallard Ducks - Sold as Baby Ducklings Only - No Sexing Available. Mallard ducks can survive through temperatures well below zero as long as they are supplied with liquid water, but they should always be supplied with a shelter to keep them out of the sun, rain, snow, and hail. You will see them duck their head underwater with their butts in the air as they feed on pond weed.

Some mallard ducks disappear the moment they are fully fledged – perhaps because they have found better sources of food, or a nicer pond. The mallard seems like such an innocent little duck. Mallard ducks are good at choosing nesting sites, even if sometimes these sites are hard for us to understand.

The Mallards retain an excellent flying ability and do an excellent job of hatching and raising one or two broods of ducklings a year. Mallard Ducks start to fly for short spurts at 10-12 weeks and are flying very well by 16 weeks. Observe the duck's plumage (feathers). If someone at a park is feeding bread to ducks, chances are there are Mallards in the fray. Others never leave, because they have friends who can’t fly (e.g. Mallard ducks can fly very well. A healthy male mallard duck who has access to foods high in nutrients will typically have healthy, bright feathers, since his body can produce ample feather pigmentation. To keep ducklings healthy a hen must brood or keep ducklings warm until they can do it themselves, help ducklings find a good source of food, ensure family bonding as a unit and finally, guide young ducks during migration and help them locate staging and wintering habitat.