Text and Photographs by Boysenberry 45

What a relief that after this year’s frequently cool and wet spring weather, mallard ducklings are starting to appear in Central Park.

Mallards are a type of dabbling duck often seen in or near the bodies of water in Central Park, grazing for plant matter, seeds, and bugs. Generally monogamous, they pair off in the fall. In the early spring, the female mallard lays 8-13 eggs (on alternate days). Typically, the eggs are incubated for 27-28 days, usually hidden in shrubbery.

Although mallard ducklings are precocial (think “precocious”) and can swim and walk immediately after they hatch, it takes 50-60 days for them to be able to fly. Mallard ducklings may be totally adorable immediately after hatching, but they can be difficult to photograph. One moment they might be taking a quick floating snooze or paddling along with their parents. Then, without warning, they can accelerate faster than a speeding motorboat, scooting across the water at warp speed. The waterproof little fluff balls are sure to bring joy to all who are lucky enough to see one. Getting an in-focus photo of a female mallard, a male drake, and one of their ducklings is a rare bird photography trifecta, indeed.

Many of us enjoyed feeding bread to ducks when we were children, but this is not advisable because bread usually lacks the nutrients they need and can fill them up, so they don’t look for more nutritious food. If you’d like to feed the ducks, better choices are cracked corn or other grains, birdseed, or even rice (cooked or uncooked). Please make sure that if you feed the ducks, everything is bite-sized to prevent choking.

Keep your eyes peeled; now that the ducklings have arrived, goslings are sure to start appearing!

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