The male mallard, or drake, leaves the female when she begins incubation and forms a group with other males. Nine to thirteen eggs are laid at daily intervals. Incubation begins when the clutch is complete and lasts for 27 to 28 days. The ducklings all hatch within 24 hours, mostly during the day and are led to water. Mallards mature quickly and may breed under 12 months of age.
Male mallards molt earlier than females but all occur in late spring early summer.
During the summer, they spend much time asleep on water banks.