Since I live near the water, lots of Mallard Ducks have been visiting the yard, especially now when it's raining so much that they can swim in the backyard.

Being around long enough, I started to notice the different groupings of the ducks:

1. A single couple.

2. A female duck with two male ducks.

3. 4 Mallard males

4. A single male that swims around constantly (my wife has nicknamed him patrol duck).

It seems that individuals in the group get along really well, but whenever any of these groups meet, a battle occur between the males of the groups. The females are always sit around while the males fight it out.

I was wondering how these non-battling groups form? Is "patrol duck" a longer because he's a psycho (he seems to attack any other duck in the area).

Why are there so few female ducks? I only see two. What the deal with the female with two males.

Thanks

Paul