Arguably North America's most strikingly colored duck, the wood duck is one of the only ducks that nests in tree cavities — and the species that helped pioneer modern waterfowl conservation through nest-box programs.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The wood duck or Carolina duck is a partially migratory species of perching duck found in North America. The male is one of the most colorful North American waterfowls.
Source: Wikipedia — Wood duck Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Males in breeding: spectacular iridescent green head. Females: gray-brown with white eye patch.
Similar species. Other dabbling ducks lack crest and complex face pattern.
Voice. Females call rising "oo-eek!"; males emit thin whistles.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Seeds (acorns), aquatic plants, insects.
Behavior. Pairs nest in tree cavities or nest boxes. Ducklings leap from nest to water.
§ Range
Throughout eastern and western US, southern Canada, and parts of Mexico
§ Habitat
Wooded swamps, beaver ponds, bottomland forest, and quiet streams
§ Threats
Habitat loss to wetland drainage, lack of mature trees with cavities, predation by invasive species.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the wood duck is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Install a wood duck nest box on tree-lined ponds. Protect bottomland forests. Remove non-native predators like rats from islands.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Wood duck
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Aix sponsa
- IUCN Red List · taxon 22680107
- iNaturalist · taxon 7137
- eBird · wooduc
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Aix sponsa
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab — All About Birds
- Ducks Unlimited
- National Audubon Society
- IUCN Red List 2018
