One day after coming home from work, I was surprised to see these three Mallard working their way through our neighborhood on foot.

I felt that this behavior was a bit unusual because the nearest standing water to our house is only a small creek several hundred yards/meters away. Further, the nearest population of Mallards that I am aware of is at a small lake well over a mile (1.6km) away from our home.

Since this observation I have witness several other instances of the same type of behavior in other areas of our neighborhood. I am still not sure what motivates these Mallards on their trek through our subdivision.

In this picture the Mallards have worked their way down the side walk and are moving into my front yard.
In this picture the Mallards have worked their way down the side walk and are moving into my front yard.
As the three Mallards roamed through my yard they worked their way up next to the shrubbery.
As the three Mallards roamed through my yard they worked their way up next to the shrubbery.
Here is a closeup of the two healthy looking males and their female companion. These birds were general unconcerned by my presence, and allowed me to approach within 10ft/3m or so before shuffling along.
Here is a closeup of the two healthy looking males and their female companion. These birds were general unconcerned by my presence, and allowed me to approach within 10ft/3m or so before shuffling along.
Here the three Mallards have gathered by one of our rain gutter downspouts to drink from the water that had collected there.
Here the three Mallards have gathered by one of our rain gutter downspouts to drink from the water that had collected there.
A short while later, the Mallards moved on continuing their trek down our street.
A short while later, the Mallards moved on continuing their trek down our street.

Observation Details

County – Denton
City – Carrollton
Date – May 1, 2006
Time of Day – Afternoon
Temperature – Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather – Partly Cloudy
Habitat – Residential-Single Family
Type of Behavior – Roaming
Gender – Mixed
Maturity – Adult
Observer – Chris Jackson
Main Article – Mallard Observation Location

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By Chris Jackson's DFW Urban WildlifeLeave a Comment on Mallard – Waddling Through

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