Overview
The Wood Duck is one of the prettiest ducks that can be found in North America. These small ducks are a species that nearly went extinct due to the destruction of their habitat coupled with over hunting. The drake can reach an average length of 20 inches and the hen around 19 inches. The drake can reach 1.5 lbs. and the hen around 1.3 lbs.. The drake and hen can easily be identified. The drake has a green and purple crested hood with white stripes leading from end of the hood to the eye. The chest is burgundy with white specks with a white belly. It has a brightly patterned red, white, and black coloration and bright red eyes. The hen on the other hand is greyish colored. It has a small grey hood and a white teardrop patch around the black eye. The hen has a blue-gray color bill and grayish feet. The call of a hen is a loud drawn out squeal like “oo-eaak”. They prefer wooded areas and flooded marshes. These birds require a cavity in order to nest or breed during season. Wood ducks primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and nuts.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Anas
- Species
- sponsa
Habitat
Breeding for these birds occurs in the Eastern United States and along the Pacific Coast. When winter approaches, Wood ducks migrate mainly along the Atlantic flyway and winter around coastal timber areas.
Diet
These birds feed by dabbling or walking on land. They mainly eat berries, acorns, and seeds, but also insects, making them omnivores.
Behavior
Their breeding habitat is wooded swamps, shallow lakes, marshes or ponds, and creeks in eastern North America, the west coast of the United States and western Mexico. They usually nest in cavities in trees close to water, although they will take advantage of nesting boxes in wetland locations if available. Females line their nests with feathers and other soft materials, and the elevation provides some protection from predators. Unlike most other ducks, the wood duck has sharp claws for perching in trees and can, in southern regions, produce two broods in a single season—the only North American duck that can do so.
Hunting
Typically hunted with a 12 ga shotgun. Shot size #2-4 is sufficient. Effectively hunted with decoys and calling. Dogs are used for bird retrieval. Steel shot is required for waterfowl in the United States.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.