These little Easter ducklings were brought in to the Center, and are being taken care of until they grow big enough to be returned to the wild. Bet you can't tell how many there are!
These are Mallards, whose numbers are decreasing, although you wouldn't know it from looking at this picture! When they grow up the males will have gorgeous glossy green heads and necks, while the females will be brown and keep the very smart stripe you see on each side of these ducklings heads. Mallards mate for life, and pairs form in the fall, well before breeding season in Spring. The female makes a shallow nest of leaves or grass, and lays 8 - 10 eggs. Once they hatch, the ducklings are ready to go out of the nest after just one day, and the Mom will lead her ducklings straight to the nearest water where they are the most safe. Sometimes this can be a swimming pool. I know because I have a Mom and 10 ducklings on mine right now!
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