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Mallard and Gadwall Broods Were 0.8–1.4 km From Their Nests by Day Five

Ducks and ducklings moving through Suisun Marsh, California
Research · Ecology

A study of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (Mareca strepera) broods in Suisun Marsh, California, USA, found that ducklings moved rapidly away from their nests during the first days after hatching and selected particular types of managed wetlands. The study was published on 4 February 2026 in Ornithological Applications and followed radio-tagged broods from 2016 to 2019.

Broods selected semi-permanent wetlands

Both species selected semi-permanent wetlands, which were flooded during autumn and winter and remained inundated until at least 1 August. They avoided permanent wetlands that held water throughout the year. Gadwall broods additionally selected seasonal wetlands flooded during spring and summer.

Wetland characteristics also mattered within these habitat types. Broods of both species selected intermediate to larger wetlands, lower salinity and intermediate levels of vegetation cover.

Most movement occurred in the first week after hatching

The largest movements away from the nest occurred during the first week after hatching. Across the four study years, five-day-old ducklings were on average 0.8–1.4 kilometres from their nests. By 14 days of age, the average distance was 1.0–1.6 kilometres, showing that relatively little additional movement occurred after the initial dispersal from the nesting site.

The authors conclude that the placement of brood-rearing wetlands relative to upland nesting areas is important. They suggest increasing the availability of semi-permanent and summer-flooded seasonal wetlands within 1.4 kilometres of nesting habitat. Shorter travel distances to preferred wetlands may reduce exposure to predation, improve duckling survival and increase recruitment into the population.

Sources and image credit

  1. Peterson, S. H., Ackerman, J. T., Fettig, B. L., Greenawalt, A. C., Hartman, C. A., Keating, M. P., & Herzog, M. P. (2026). Wetland characteristics influence dabbling duckling habitat use and movements. Ornithological Applications, 128(2), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duag014Primary peer-reviewed article published 4 February 2026. Mallard and gadwall broods selected semi-permanent wetlands and avoided permanent wetlands; five-day-old ducklings averaged 0.8–1.4 km from their nests across the four study years. The work is identified by OUP as written by US Government employees and public domain in the US.

Image: Sarah Peterson / U.S. Geological Survey — ducks and ducklings moving through Suisun Marsh, California. Photograph from the study area. · Public Domain — https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/move-0 · Source

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