Mallard Duck Nesting Box Plans

How to build nest boxes for a mallard duck.

Mallard duck nesting box plans. Mallards typically nest in a scrape on the ground near water and often near areas of heavy cover. Needs to be a part of your long term maintenance commitment once you place your nest box. Just leave the door open and stuff some straw inside. This annual cleaning needs to be apart ofyour long term maintenance commitment once you place your nest box.

Both urban and wild populations readily nest in artificial nesting structures. If rats or snakes are a problem a nest box on a pole is a good idea. Lift the ducks nest up and into the water and anchor one end of the cable to the opposite shore. How to build nest boxes for a mallard duck mallard ducks are one of the most colourful and elegant species of ducks which feed on greens and aquatic invertebrates these ducks prefer to habitat in shallow ponds and marshes.

Below are plans for a nest box that you can build install and maintain. A duck box may even attract other cavity nesting birds such as kestrels tree swallows great crested flycatchers or screech owls. How to build nest boxes for a mallard duck by kristie karns. What you ll need for your box.

The hen house should be mounted 3 above the high water mark. This nest structure helps guard against flooding and ground predators. See our tips for building a predator guard and finding the right place to install. Every year in the fall after the nesting season has completed or in the winter clean out old nesting material from the box and replace it with a fresh layer ofwood shavings.

Place the hen house in shallow water approximately 3 5 from nearby emergent vegetation. Building mallard duck nesting tubes now that we have successfully launched our harrison bay eagle cam project we have turned our attention to yet another environmental conservation project. Here are plans for a nest box that you can build install and maintain. His design has withstood the test of time.

Mallards are part of a group of waterfowl known as dabblers named for the upside position of a feeding bird. These ducks prefer shallow ponds and marshes feeding on greens and aquatic invertebrates. Build a duck nest box 9 25 9 25 9 25 9 25 9 25 back side. Build a duck nest box procedure tools needed handsaw or table saw drill and 1 2 bit jigsaw screwdriver sandpaper pencil measuring tape straight edge.

Its success at creating a safe haven for nesting birds led to its recommendation by both the minnesota waterfowl association and the wood duck society. This protects the ducklings and gives the mother security. Several weeks ago bill greene and mitch sivley approached me with the idea of building and installing nesting tubes for mallard ducks. An old mail box nailed to a 2x4 works great.