Mallard in February
Where mallards are in February, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
February in the Mallard's year
February still feels like deep winter, but days are lengthening and the first stirrings of the breeding season begin — resident birds start singing on mild mornings and some early nesters are already claiming territories. Late-winter storms can be the hardest feeding days of the year.
For the Mallard specifically, February is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 62 states and provinces where mallards occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where mallards are in February
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In February, mallards are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in February
Mallards are not nesting in February. The season runs March–June at mid-latitudes, starting roughly a month earlier in the South.
Outside the nesting season, mallards put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in February
- Corn, wheat and acorns in flooded fields
Tame park and pond ducks; feed sparingly and skip bread, which harms water quality and duck health.
Don't let feeders run empty during late-winter storms; birds burn enormous energy staying warm. This is also the month to clean and repair nest boxes before early nesters move in.
Watching mallards this month
Mallards are settled and predictable in February, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region mallards are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Mallard month by month
Mallard by state
Frequently asked
Where are mallards in February?
In February, mallards are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do mallards nest in February?
No — mallards typically nest March through June at mid-latitudes.
What do mallards eat in February?
Corn, wheat and acorns in flooded fields.
Sources
- Mallard — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mallard life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Mallard — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
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.