On the morning after her eggs hatch, the mother mallard leads her ducklings to water where they’ll be safe. Unfortunately in the city there are unexpected hazards on the way.

Sometimes she walks over grates that are too open for her ducklings and they all fall in. In Phoenix, Arizona the Fire Department rescues ducklings at least once a year.

When her family is reunited Mother Mallard leads them away.

p.s. Notice that she’s fanning her tail to show white feathers. Perhaps her ducklings cue on that signal.

(video by Woodside Homes Arizona on YouTube. photo by Starbuck Powersurge on Flickr, Creative Commons license