Mallards are commonly found
throughout N. America near ponds,
marshy, wetlands & lakes

They do appear year round in much of the United States and can be found nesting near any type of water. You may even find them swimming in a back yard pool from time to time. Which is the case with a pair that visit my neighbors pool and then fly over to feed on the corn at my bird feeder.

They waddle all over the yard, the male was looking for a nesting site. However after doing this for a few days in a row, decided against it. I would have to say that is due to my having three cats prowling the yard at all hours. lol

The ducks enjoy foraging on a wide variety of food and especially enjoy seeds and aquatic vegetation. They do eat animal matter such as, insects, larvae, worms and snails. You may also see them in just harvested fields where grain was grown during the migration season.

Mallards begin pairing off long before spring arrives, usually beginning in late fall and continuing the courtship period through winter. When spring arrives the mating begins and the female incubates the eggs alone in a shallow depression in the ground on moist earth. This is always done close to nearby water or agricultural fields. She then begins to pull the surrounding vegetation towards her to build the nest itself.

After she has been setting on her eggs for a period of time, she will begin to pull soft feathers from her chest to line the grassy nest. She may lay up to a dozen eggs and do so 1-2 times per season. The incubation period can last up to 30 days and the newborn chicks will leave the nest during the first day.