Where do ducks nest?
Mallard · Anas platyrhynchos
Mallards, the commonest British duck, nest on the ground in thick cover: under bushes, in long grass or nettles, usually near water. But they also turn up in odd places, from tree hollows to garden borders, balconies and closed courtyards, sometimes a long way from water. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with the duck’s own down, and eggs go in from late winter.
Nyth turns this into a puzzle. Play a level
- Where
- On the ground in thick cover, usually near water
- Nest
- A shallow scrape of grass and leaves, lined with down
- When
- From February in mild weather; most ducklings in spring
- Eggs
- Usually 11 to 14, kept warm by the duck for about 4 weeks
- Broods
- One, with a second try if the first fails
- Ducklings
- Leave the nest within a day; fly at about 7 to 8 weeks
- Status
- Amber list, because fewer spend the winter here
Where ducks nest
When people ask where ducks nest they nearly always mean the mallard, the green-headed duck on every park pond. A mallard nests on the ground, in thick cover: under a bush, in long grass, among nettles or reeds, usually not far from water.
Usually. Mallards are famous for odd nest sites: tree hollows, old crows’ nests, wood piles, boathouses, flower beds, closed-in courtyards and big plant pots on balconies several floors up. A duck can nest a surprisingly long way from the nearest water, which causes problems later, as you will see.
What a duck’s nest looks like
A shallow dip in the ground, scraped out and lined with grass and leaves, then with soft down that the duck plucks from her own breast. Whenever she leaves to feed she pulls the down over the eggs, which keeps them warm and hides them. The drake has nothing to do with any of it: she builds, sits and raises the ducklings on her own.
When ducks nest
Early. In a mild winter mallards can start in February, and the first ducklings are out in spring. There are usually 11 to 14 eggs. A nest with 20 or more usually means two ducks have laid in it.
The duck sits for about four weeks. The ducklings hatch together and leave the nest within a day, fluffy and already able to feed themselves. She leads them to water and guards them, but she does not feed them. They fly at around seven to eight weeks.
A duck is nesting in my garden: what now?
This is the question I would most want answered, so here is the short version:
- While she is sitting, leave her alone. Keep cats and dogs away, do not mow close by, and do not move the nest or eggs. It is protected by law while in use.
- After the eggs hatch, the ducklings need water within about 48 hours. The duck will walk them there, even a mile or more. Open gates and clear a route if you can.
- If they are trapped, say in a walled courtyard or on a balcony, contact a local wildlife rescue (Help Wildlife lists them) rather than trying to move the family yourself.
- Do not feed them bread. Ducklings find their own food from the start.
Checked against: RSPB: Mallard, BTO BirdFacts: Mallard, Help Wildlife: Nesting ducks. Last checked 8 November 2026.
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One nest in every row, every column and every colour, and no two nests touching, not even at a corner. Tap a square once to cross it off. Double tap to place a nest.
Every nest found
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Questions
Do ducks nest away from water?
Often, yes. Mallards sometimes nest in gardens, courtyards and even on balconies a long way from water, then walk the ducklings to it after they hatch.
How long do duck eggs take to hatch?
About four weeks (27 to 28 days). The duck does all the sitting.
When do ducklings leave the nest?
Within about a day of hatching. They need to reach water within about 48 hours.
Should I move a duck’s nest?
No. It is illegal to move or damage a wild bird’s nest while it is in use, and she will usually abandon it. If the family ends up stuck after hatching, call a wildlife rescue.
Does the drake help?
No. The female builds the nest, sits on the eggs and looks after the ducklings alone.
