MadSci Network: Zoology
Query:

Re: Can mallard ducks move their eggs from the nest.

Date: Mon May 8 00:02:31 2000
Posted By: Rochelle Ferris, Undergraduate, Marine Biology / Zoology, James Cook University, Australia
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 956276794.Zo
Message:

Hi there Austin...

What an interesting observation you made!  Mallard ducks aren't capable of 
moving their eggs very far from their nest.  They are capable of moving  
the eggs within the nest by rolling them around, but I can't see a Mallard 
rolling an egg two blocks away!! hehehehe....
What I'd say most likely has happened is that the eggs have been taken by a 
reptile.  Something like a snake or a lizard probably took some.  They are 
quite capable of taking eggs without disturbing the nest too much, and some 
of them swallow the egg whole, so there'a one possible explanation as to 
why there was no shells left laying around.

Hope this provides some insight!
Rochelle.



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