There is a huge pond in a neighbours garden behind my house, which has attracted a family of ducks every year. These ducks are quite noisy quacking through the day, but especially in the early hours!!! Does anyone know why?
Because they are female!!!!
Seriously though- it is the female mallard that makes the familiar quacking call. Female mallards are very territorial in the breeding season- and for mallards this can be very long!! Typically the only bit the drake does is pass on his genes and vamoose leaving the rest to the duck!