Psilos Bird Photography

Ducklings, Mallard

Just Adorable!
This page is just sheer indulgence for me. Who, in spring doesnt love to see those little Mallard ducklings all cute and fluffy and so very, very tiny. I love to photograph them and here are some of the most adorable.
 
 
 
 
The female Mallard is a very diligent mother and watches over her babies intently.
 
 
 
 
Sadly though not all ducklings are accepted. Yellow Mallard ducklings are becoming increasingly common and these tend to stand out and attract attention to themselves. We may think they are gorgeous but to another female they are a potential threat as they attract other predators. This duckling below was viciously attacked by another female, who tried to drown him. In the end I lost sight of him so do not know if he survived.
 
 
Not all stories have sad endings though. I have watched the golden ducklings below several times and they seem to be developing very well. I think when it comes to a cute factor these score very highly indeed.
 
 
 
The photos below show a hybrid Mallard female and all her ducklings. The ones with the darker heads will grow up to look like her whilst the other ducklings will develop the more classical Mallard appearance with maybe one or two minor differences to plumage.
 
 
 
 
And a duckling with attitude!