Wood Duck, Colorful Climbers

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more colorful duck—and they do things a little differently. Males are a mix of chestnut, green, black, and white, with red eyes and bright orange beaks. Females have more brown, white, and blue, with a white ring around their eyes. They pair up in mid-winter, and the males follow the females to their nesting area, migrating variable distance year to year. Wood ducks are the only North American duck that regularly produces two broods in one year. 

They keep a lower profile in woodland ponds and river swamps and nest in tree cavities or boxes. They’re equipped with strong claws for gripping bark and perching on branches. Courting males swim before a female with wings and tail elevated, sometimes tilting the head backwards for a few seconds. Males may also perform ritualized drinking, preening, and shaking movements. Both members of a pair may preen each other and show displays of affection. Pairs search for a suitable tree and typically choose one between 1-2 feet in diameter, often over water. 

Since natural cavities are scarce, they will readily use a nest box. Females lay 10-11 eggs per clutch, but egg dumping has been known to happen when nest boxes are close together. Ducklings must climb out of the nest tree or box and jump out, making their way to the water. The mother waits for them and calls, and ducklings can jump from heights of over 50 feet without injury!

Diet consists of seeds, fruits, insects, and nuts or grains if aquatic food is scarce. Wood ducks are dabblers (short, shallow dives).

Wood duck populations were threatened to extinction in the early 20th century due to tree cutting and hunting. Legal protection and provision of nest boxes helped recovery, and thousands of nest boxes are occupied by Wood ducks in the U.S. and Canada. 

Original mixed media on raw stretched canvas with maple float frame. Alternate hardwood frame available upon request.

Sources: All About Birds and Audubon Society