Mallard Pairs

Though they don't breed until spring, Mallards start pairing up in the autumn, and males/females are frequently seen together throughout the winter. Though there are times when I see groups with more of one gender - usually in a place with a food source that draws in other species of waterfowl - a paired couple is the norm in uncrowded areas. (This isn't just a Mallard thing either; American Black Ducks [1] are also frequently seen in pairs [2].)

"Come in, the water's fine", says the swimming male to the sitting female. Though this was in February when you and I would presumably consider the water temperature to be prohibitively cold, ducks handle cold water much better than we do.

February 27, 2023 at the Raritan Water Power Canal
Photo 264702709, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

The next pair looked busy, so this was probably the duck equivalent of dining together. 

February 27, 2023 at the Raritan Water Power Canal
Photo 264703108, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Taken a week later, could this be another picture of 1 of the February pairs? I wouldn't be surprised.

March 6, 2023 at the Raritan Water Power Canal
Photo 267703524, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

[1] American Black Ducks are pretty closely related to Mallards.

[2] It's beyond my expertise to verify that a pair of American Black Ducks consists of 1 male and 1 female. Unlike Mallards, male and female American Black Ducks look very similar to 1 another.


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