![\"mallard](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/mallard-2937-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn my area spring behaviors have begun in many species and Mallards are no exception.\u00a0 I was photographing other birds when I noticed this mated pair begin their mating ritual.\u00a0 First the male dipped his bill to his mate…<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
and then she reciprocated.\u00a0 This occurred several times before…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n the male mounted the female.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As is typical of many duck species during mating\u00a0the male grasped the female by her upper neck feathers…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n and held on for the duration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the act was completed the male dismounted.\u00a0 This is when things got really interesting…<\/p>\n Mallards are monogamous but paired males actively pursue forced extra-pair copulations which produces mixed paternity in broods.\u00a0 There are often other males in the\u00a0vicinity and the mating process excites them to attempt to mate with the female too.\u00a0 That’s exactly what happened here.<\/p>\n As the male dismounted, the female noticed another\u00a0male Mallard (this time a hybrid)\u00a0rushing toward her just out of frame to the right – thus her look of surprise and alarm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n She apparently had no interest in dallying with him and made her escape.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So the hybrid turned around and directed his hostilities at the other male.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A vicious fight broke out between the two males.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It went on for some time but eventually the wild male got the upper hand (wing)…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n