What? Courting behavior in the dead of winter? It appears tiny, stubby Frick is already planning her summer nuptials by batting her eyes at a handsome drake even though she’s only about six months old. To be honest, I haven’t seen any eye batting, but I’ve watched her swim in front of several drakes and do some serious head bobbing.
Hens bob their heads and turn slightly away from drakes they are trying to impress. As they bob, they cluck. It’s sort of a giggle as if the drake has just told them something terribly amusing and slightly bawdy. This particular drake shows signs he’s finding her infatuating. He returned some head bobbing and encouraged her to trail along as he paddled around what’s left of open water. Mallards pair up for the breeding season but unattached drakes will rush to share the hen’s affection if the selected male lets his guard down. I didn’t realize pairing up begins so early, but it makes perfect sense. Ducks have little else to do during the winter months. They don’t have cable or an Internet connection.








































