Conservator, Waterfowl

There’s a duck nest in my yard. What should I expect and what should I do?

The Duck Doctors are in, sharing insights from the wild!

By Linda Browne July 03, 2025

There’s nothing like strolling around your yard and soaking in the sights, sounds and smells of nature in spring, like buds and flowers in bloom, the buzz of bees and beautiful birdsong. Depending on where you live, you might also see a tell-tale sign that ducklings may soon be on the way: a duck nest.

Have you ever wondered what to do if you discover a duck nesting on the ground? One of our resident Duck Doctors, research scientist Vanessa Harriman, wades in with some information and advice.

If you’ve encountered a duck nest in your yard, it likely belongs to a mallard, says Harriman. During the laying stage, the female duck, known as a hen, lays about one egg a day and isn’t often on the nest, so you may not see her around much, she explains.

If several weeks have passed and there’s still no sign of the hen, or any new eggs, unfortunately, chances are the nest is abandoned.

“Waterfowl such as mallards are federally protected, so it is against the law to destroy or disturb the nest,” notes Harriman, who recommends contacting the Canadian Wildlife Service for advice on how to deal with the eggs if you’re certain the nest is abandoned or the hen has disappeared.

“If a hen is on the nest — congratulations! There’s a chance your yard may be the eventual hatching place of a brood of ducklings,” she says, noting that the hen will incubate her eggs for about 28 days and sit on them for most of the day and night, taking short breaks to preen and eat.

“It’s really important not to feed the hen, as the food may attract predators,” cautions Harriman. “Bird eggs are an easy source of protein-rich food for species like ravens, skunks and raccoons.”

Mallard hen and ducklings. © Jeope Wolfe

After nearly a month of waiting, the process of hatching begins. But if you blink, you may miss it!

“When it’s time for the ducklings to hatch, they begin making these clicking and peeping sounds as they start to make a little hole in the egg,” says Harriman, noting that these sounds, known as “pipping,” are thought to help them hatch at the same time. The hen responds by making her own soft clucking sounds. The ducklings learn to recognize their mother’s voice — a process known as imprinting — that helps ensure they’ll follow her when it’s time to leave the nest.

Can’t wait to see those little bills break through? Be patient. Harriman says the eggs will typically hatch over a 24-hour period and within 24 hours of hatching, the new mom and her ducklings will immediately head for the nearest wetland or water source.

“Despite being small, ducklings will travel far distances with their mother in search of water,” she adds.

If you’re sharing your yard with a nesting duck and want to ensure things go swimmingly for her, the best thing to do is nothing at all. Mallard hens have evolved to be adaptable and resilient, re-nesting up to six times if their nest is destroyed or abandoned.

So, in short, if you happen to find a nest in your yard, it’s best to watch and enjoy the action from a distance.

Subscribe to our Duck Doctors video series on DUC’s YouTube channel to learn more fascinating facts about wetlands, waterfowl and other wildlife from the scientists who study them: ducks.ca/duck-doctors

Ducks face increasing challenges in finding safe places to nest and raise their young.

That’s why DUC works to conserve wetlands and habitats vital for waterfowl survival. By becoming a DUC member, you help protect the natural spaces ducks rely on—so they don’t have to settle for your backyard!

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