I am now all confused about my backyard ducks. I have had a male Mallard and female American Black Duck here every day since the water thawed two weeks ago. They mate very often. Today a male and female American Black Duck showed up together and mated. Was she the male Mallard's female? I don't know. The male Mallard, who was alone this morning, got along just fine with the male American Black Duck (above) and didn't seem to care as the two American Black Ducks mated right beside him. Later in the day, I looked out back and saw the male Mallard with his female American Black Duck. All was back to normal. Maybe the lone male Mallard I saw this morning was a different male? Only the ducks know.