Posted by Jen Keinath on April 26, 2007

Q: We have a mallard who is nesting in a sheltered corner of a planter that is attached to our home. She has been sitting on her eggs for about a week and never seems to leave. Do Mallards leave their nest to eat or drink? Could she be eating at night?

State: Minnesota

A: Mallards do indeed leave their nest for a short time for a bit of food and water during their incubation time. Although I've seen females that have left their nest during the day (I have a female on a nest on my pond right now) I believe they're more inclined to leave at dusk or maybe even in the dark of night - not entirely sure. Also, my impression has been that when they do leave the nest for a time, they tend to go some distance away rather than feed close by. Probably an important part of keeping the nest as inconspicuous as possible.

Mallards incubate for 26-30 days (28 average) so if you know when the incubation actually began, you can begin to look for ducklings on the "right" day. Once they hatch, she'll most likely be very eager to get her babies somewhere safe. Hope all goes well and that you get to see some babies.

Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( April 26, 2007)