Helping Hand?
Posted by Kathy Minnie on May 30, 2006
Q: I am raising three mallard ducklings. I want to know when they will learn how to fly.
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Minnesota
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: I really can't give you a number of days but you should know well before they can actually do so. I've raised Mallards myself and found that as their wings become stronger and their feathering more "mature", they begin racing around on the water's surface and almost get off the water. When this happens, you can figure that flight is not far away. Give them plenty of space to exercise their wings and when the time is right, they'll fly - parents don't teach them. Hope this helps.
John Wiessinger ( May 30, 2006)
Filed under: Ecology