Mallards Chicks Leaving the Nest on 4/27/2009

Charleston, SC


We observed the first Mallard egg being laid in a nest among our azalea bushes on 14 March.   We know for sure that there were 15 eggs total in the nest and strongly suspect that one other Mallard "contributed" to this total.  Mama mallard began incubating the eggs on 29 March and chicks started hatching early on Sunday, 26 April.  Mallard chicks typically leave the nest (never to return) on the morning after they hatched.

The video below was shot by a security camera that we set up about 2 feet from the nest.   The capture rate is pretty slow (5 frames per second), but very funny to watch.

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Location of the nest in our side yard.
These two shots of the nest were taken Sunday afternoon within a few hours after the chicks hatched.
Pictures in the creek on Monday morning within minutes after the chicks left the nest.   We were late for work as a result, but it was worth it!

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