Spring visitors

For the past 8 years, we have a mallard duck couple who show up at our back door every spring. I have read that mallards don't really "mate for life"...could they be the same ducks every year?

Liked this question? Tell your friends about it

2 Answers

Order by
Oldest to Newest
Newest to Oldest
Votes

Migratory waterfowl "imprint" on their surroundings soon after hatching, and the females will very often return to the place they hatched to attempt a nest.  Most likely, the female (hen) is always the same duck, while the male (drake) probably isn't, but follows the hen to her nesting area.  Mallards can live for as long as 20 years, so you may see the lady for several more years. 

Yes, they can be. I saw the same thing in a swimming pool.

Related Questions

Other people asked questions on similar topics, check out the answers they received:

Asked: I had a nest by my house and one day I came ...

I had a nest by my house and one day I came home and the eggs were gone. The nest is still there, but no sight of anything else. Does anyone know what could have happened to them?

Asked: Ducks

What do you call a "Bunch of ducks"?

Asked: Ducks

Whatdo you call a "bunch of ducks"? I know a gaggle for geese and flock for birds.

More Questions

What will be in fashion this spring? for adults and children :)

For adults clothing, its all about lingerie !

Where is the best place for Spring Break?

I think Cancun is the best place to enjoy the spring break vacation

When is spring vacation

March, different weeks for different schools.