The Mallard builds its nest on the ground and relies entirely on it being well hidden, since the female incubates alone and is vulnerable to predators.
Site: hidden in dense shoreline vegetation near water, but sometimes surprisingly far from the water, even in parks and gardens.
Construction: a shallow cup on the ground lined with down that the female plucks from her own breast.
Breeding: the female lays 8–13 eggs, which she incubates alone for 27–28 days, and the nidifugous ducklings are led to the water within a day.