DOUGLAS, Michigan — Students and staff members at Douglas Elementary School in the Saugatuck Public Schools district have made a tradition of celebrating the miracle of life the last four years, thanks to a mallard duck hen who they've named Bernadette.
Each of the last four springs, Bernadette has returned to the courtyard at the elementary school to build a nest and have her babies. Over the weekend, district communications staff members say Bernadette's eggs hatched. On Monday, school leaders opened up the courtyard door and led Mom and her babies safely through the school. They're now making their home in a nearby river.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says mallards typically raise one or two broods per year, with up to 13 eggs per clutch. Only females sit on the eggs to keep them warm, and that incubation period usually lasts 23-30 days. When ducklings hatch they are covered in down and they're alert. They're ready to leave the nest in just 13-16 hours. They can swim and forage for food on their own, though they tend to stay close to their mothers so they can stay safe.
Audubon estimates that there are 19 million mallards in the world. They can be found in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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