u/Business_Egg_9688

The ducklings are starting to hatch! I’ve never seen a male stick around and protect a female and her babies but this year this one is (these are wild ducks that love our yard and come back year after year). There are a ton of other males who keep hanging around the family so maybe they are still hoping to mate with the female and he’s still possessive over her? Usually the mamas are alone with the babies and chase off the males but this one seems ok with him sticking close by.