Since they are so common and widespread, mallards generally receive little attention from birdwatchers and naturalists. We prefer to focus on less common and "more interesting" waterfowl when visiting lakes and wetlands.
But this past week, while staying in the family cottage along Sandy Lake in northeast Ohio, I enjoyed observing two female mallards with their broods. The first group of ducklings were likely a few weeks old when we arrived but still remained close to their mother as she moved across the lake or foraged along the marshy shores. The second group, more entertaining, were less than a week old and were nearly glued to dear old mom, mimicking her every move. Both mothers were clearly devoted to the survival of their youngsters, guiding them clear of any perceived threats and ushering them into cover when necessary.
By the end of our stay, the older ducklings were nearly as large as their mom, straying farther from her location. She, in turn, seemed less concerned, "knowing" that they would soon be independent (primarily in response to her own insistence). Yes, though foreshortened, the lives of mallards reflect some aspects of our own.
