Mallards in Newfoundland and Labrador
When mallards are present in Newfoundland and Labrador, when they nest, which native Newfoundland and Labrador plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–6b yard.
- Status in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- April–June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–6b
When to expect mallards in Newfoundland and Labrador
Mallards live in Newfoundland and Labrador all year. Long, snowy, windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them.
Cool maritime on the island of Newfoundland; subarctic in Labrador.
Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador
Across Newfoundland and Labrador, mallards typically nest from April–June. Plan around that window: March for setup, June for clean-out.
Cool summers; nesting often starts in June.
- Mallards don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, red maple, willow (bebb) for nest sites.
- Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after June.
Native Newfoundland and Labrador plants that attract mallards
Of the regional native plants we track for Newfoundland and Labrador, these 5 provide food or cover mallards use:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Catkin seed for redpolls on the tundra.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Feeding mallards through the Newfoundland and Labrador year
- Top foods: Cracked corn, Duck pellets.
- In Newfoundland and Labrador's winter: Long, snowy, windy winters.
Frequently asked
Are mallards in Newfoundland and Labrador year-round?
Yes. Mallards are year-round residents in Newfoundland and Labrador.
When do mallards nest in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador typically runs April–June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 1–13 eggs, incubated for 23–30 days.
What native plants attract mallards in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Paper birch, Red maple, Willow (Bebb), Dwarf birch, Fireweed are native plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that provide food or cover for mallards.
Mallards in other regions
Other backyard birds in Newfoundland and Labrador
Sources
- Mallard — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mallard life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mallard — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Newfoundland and Labrador
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.