Mallard Duck Chicks Ketchikan Alaska

One of the natural instincts which a female Mallard Duck has is that it will always protect her chicks until they are ready to be set free. This adult scours the area in Ketchikan, Alaska after hearing unusual noises.

A Mallard Duck hen ensures her chicks safety as she scours the area for any danger leaving her young hidden behind a log and blossoming flowers in Ketchikan, Alaska. The female Mallard Duck is paired with a male up until such time that she lays her eggs and then the male quickly disappears leaving the female to fend for herself.

For about 27 or 28 days, the female will incubate the eggs until they hatch and then the cute, soft chicks will appear. These chicks are ready to swim and feed on insects after being hatched but stay within a close proximity to their mother for protection until they are ready to take flight in approximately 50-60 days.

The female Mallard Duck is brown in color all year while the male is similar during non-breeding season but changes considerably during the breeding period. Once the breeding season is over, the Mallards will form flocks and migrate to warmer climates. Some do reside in the colder temperatures all year as long as there is enough food and shelter.

Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) hen, chicks and planted flowers. Ketchikan, Alaska.

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Photo Title: Mallard Duck Chicks Ketchikan Alaska

One of the natural instincts which a female Mallard Duck has is that it will always protect her chicks until they are ready to be set free. This adult scours the area in Ketchikan, Alaska after hearing unusual noises.