Creature Feature – Good Mama

Mallard ducks are considered to be excellent mothers. Female mallards (or “hens”) take on the role of parenting all on their own, with no assistance from their mates. Mallard moms are solely responsible for incubating the eggs and raising their young. That’s quite the feat!

An “expectant” mother mallard must first incubate her eggs for between 26-30 days. Once the downy ducklings hatch – sometimes 8, 9, or even a dozen! — she stays with them and keeps them warm. Mama Mallard then leads her babies to safer areas and shows them where to find food. She stops periodically to ensure her babies are keeping up. Mama is also extremely wary, always on the lookout for predators, as lots of other animals will try to eat ducklings including foxes, skunks, snakes, snapping turtles, and large fish. She does her best to defend them and may even feign an injury to lure a predator away from her vulnerable babies.

Mama Mallard stays with her ducklings for 45-60 days. Over the course of this time, the youngsters become increasingly more independent and will eventually learn how to fly. We can help ease her maternal burden by picking up dangerous tangles of fishing line and other litter around lakes and ponds and by giving her precious family plenty of space and respect.

Article & photo by Margie Manthey