Hi all,
Last year, i noticed a mallard duck had built a nest and laid some eggs under one of my small pine trees, and since there's not really any water for several miles around me, I built a small pond in my back yard so her ducklings would have a place to swim for a few days. Her ducklings ended up hatching, and they hung around for about two weeks and then they all left. Last year, while she was incubating, I saw the male duck maybe 2 times total.
This year, she came back (I assume it's the same duck) and laid another clutch of about a dozen eggs in the same spot. She's been incubating about 3 weeks, so they should hatch any day now. This time, I've seen the male duck more frequently, but the last 3 days, he's brought another female with him.
This morning, around 6am, I woke up to the female that laid the clutch being "chased" around my back yard by the male and other female, quacking loudly. She even came up on my back porch like she was trying to get away and wanted help. I went out and they kind of calmed down, and later in the morning I saw the female on her nest again.
But now this male and second female are hanging around my back yard and pond, like they are waiting for the ducklings to hatch.
Is this normal? I was under the impression that ducks were typically monogamous. Is this second female trying to take over her brood?
I don't plan to intervene, just curious.
Thanks.
Last year, i noticed a mallard duck had built a nest and laid some eggs under one of my small pine trees, and since there's not really any water for several miles around me, I built a small pond in my back yard so her ducklings would have a place to swim for a few days. Her ducklings ended up hatching, and they hung around for about two weeks and then they all left. Last year, while she was incubating, I saw the male duck maybe 2 times total.
This year, she came back (I assume it's the same duck) and laid another clutch of about a dozen eggs in the same spot. She's been incubating about 3 weeks, so they should hatch any day now. This time, I've seen the male duck more frequently, but the last 3 days, he's brought another female with him.
This morning, around 6am, I woke up to the female that laid the clutch being "chased" around my back yard by the male and other female, quacking loudly. She even came up on my back porch like she was trying to get away and wanted help. I went out and they kind of calmed down, and later in the morning I saw the female on her nest again.
But now this male and second female are hanging around my back yard and pond, like they are waiting for the ducklings to hatch.
Is this normal? I was under the impression that ducks were typically monogamous. Is this second female trying to take over her brood?
I don't plan to intervene, just curious.
Thanks.
