So many questions!

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Mrs Mallard is being very patient, sitting on her eggs day after day. Mr Mallard left as soon as his necessary contribution was finished, so she’s all alone in her little hideaway. Such an ordinary scene which has been repeated countless times throughout history and long before too, no doubt. And yet it raises so many questions. How does she know what to do? I know it’s the most natural thing in the world and probably mostly instinctive but I still don’t think we really understand how that works. I mean, how does she know (or they know) they need to make a nest? How do they know how to do it? And where to do it? How does she know when to start incubating the eggs? How does he know he is free to leave? How does she know she must stay there almost 24/7 and how does she know it’s OK to leave for a while each day, but not too long? How does she know to turn the eggs regularly? When you think of all the books, classes, videos, instructors etc. that humans seem to need (or think they need) to have children and care for them, it makes you wonder. Can you spot Mrs Mallard in the photo? All rights reserved. © Text copyright Fleur 2026.