Mallards

Nearly everybody recognizes mallards, the most common and widespread waterfowl species in North America, with six million breeding pairs (down by 25% over a 30-year period). Nielsen ( A Season with Eagles ) spent 15 years observing and filming these ducks at his home in northwestern Wisconsin. His magnificent photographic essay captures them at every stage in their development, from nesting to migration. The brief text describes mallard life history and behavior patterns. We learn that ducklings leave the nest within a day of hatching and make their first flight at eight weeks (six in the Arctic). Nielsen examines future problems for the mallard: drought, contaminated water and crowding pose ongoing threats to successful breeding even for a notably versatile and adaptable species. Visually, this may be the definitive book on the subject. (June)