The female picks out a specific nest site. Instigated with head bobbing by either the male or the female, the pair will mate, often several times a day, while swimming. ... Mallard ducks mate in pairs and the pair remains together until the female lays her eggs. At this time the male leaves the female.

How do ducks mate?

During sex, males mount female ducks and line up their penises with the vaginas of their chosen females. Once positioned properly, the drake's penis explodes outward, into the oviduct -- or vagina -- of the female, a process that takes approximately one-third of a second.

Why do male ducks drown female ducks?

Unpaired males will attempt to force copulation during the egg-laying season. There are even socially organized groups of males pursuing females to force copulation. This is really physically harmful for the female ducks. ... Sometimes they even drown because ducks often copulate in the water.