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- Hens can nest on the ground, among dead grass and
reeds, near the edges of lakes and reservoirs, on top of muskrat
lodges, and in marshes - sometimes up to a half mile away from water.
- Hens produce 8-10 light green eggs in a clutch, which
she will sit on for 30 days.
- If the nest is destroyed, the hen can produce another
clutch in the same season.
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- After males abandon their mates, they begin to lose
their feathers. This process is called molting. They have one large loss
of wing feathers during molting in a plumage cycle.
- After molting, the birds can't fly for a period of time.
The flightless period can last from 18-37 days. In fact, flight capabilities
are reduced just before the feathers are lost.
- Ducklings emerge from their eggs by using a specialized
hardened "Egg tooth".
- After emerging from the egg, the ducklings are allowed
to dry completely - then they're led to the water for their first swim.
- It takes about two months before the ducklings can fly.
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