A mallard has adopted a group of new born ducklings after her own brood were killed.

The mother duck was left grief-stricken two weeks ago after her ducklings were lost to predators on the day they were born.

However, after joining a group of tufted ducklings born on the same day, the bereaved bird was able to look after her adopted brood alongside their own mum.

Sam Mckinlay, head keeper of Arundel Wetland’s Centre, said: “The female tufted duck permits the mallard to help look after the ducklings, sometimes while she has a nap on the bank.

"The tufted ducklings are learning to dive now and will disappear before popping back to the surface of the water like corks – they are a handful - it’s a lot for the mallard to keep her eye on.

 

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“Male and female mallard and tufted duck pairs do not raise their ducklings together so these co-parenting twosome are a rare sight.”

The ducklings have been continuing to grow and have accepted the mother mallard as part of their family.

The ducks live at Arundel Wetland Centre, a conservation centre for wetland and birds based in West Sussex.