Sharon and I took our dog Kenya for a walk in Richmond Green Park this afternoon
and came across this female Mallard leading her brood of six chicks across the pond. Mallard chicks are precocial, that is they are covered with down when they hatch. Thus, they are ready to leave the nest almost right away. The chicks are also able to swim immediately.
Mallard chicks will remain with their mother until they are ready to fly. This generally occurs within 42 - 50 days from birth. During this time they do become gradually more independent.
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