A Look At The Wood Duck

The wood duck is arguably the most beautiful of all waterfowl.

Revered by hunters and sought after by wildlife photographers, they command respect and inspire admiration. Let’s take a look at a duck common in Texas and the South.

Appearance and Plumage

Males, known as drakes, display a flamboyant palette of iridescent greens, purples, and blues on their heads, which is beautifully complemented by their white throat patches, chestnut chests, and intricately patterned sides. A distinctive white flare extends from their cheeks, contrasting strikingly with their vibrant eye markings.

Females, or hens, exhibit more subdued but equally elegant plumage. They are dressed in mottled browns, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their wetland habitats during nesting season. This contrast in appearance between males and females is known as sexual dimorphism and is a common feature among waterfowl.

Habitat and Range

Wood ducks inhabit a diverse range of wetland environments, including freshwater ponds, rivers, streams, and swamps. They are highly adaptable, able to thrive in both natural and human-altered habitats. From the eastern United States to the western coast of North America and parts of Canada, Wood ducks have established a widespread and stable presence across their range.

During the breeding season, these ducks can be found nesting in tree cavities near water, a unique behavior among waterfowl. They are skilled fliers, with powerful wings and strong aerial maneuvering abilities that allow them to navigate through dense vegetation in their wetland habitats.

Behavior and Diet

Wood ducks are renowned for their quiet and often secretive nature. Unlike the quacking calls of many duck species, they are known for their soft, whistling vocalizations, but will let out a shrill high-pitched call when spooked.

Their omnivorous diet includes aquatic plants, acorns, seeds, insects, and crustaceans, making them opportunistic feeders. During the breeding season, their diet shifts to include more protein-rich foods to support their growing chicks.

Breeding and Nesting Habits

Wood Ducks are known for their unique nesting habits. They are cavity nesters, meaning they lay their eggs in tree hollows or other natural or man-made cavities. This behavior sets them apart from most other waterfowl species. To reach their chosen nesting sites, Wood Duck hens will sometimes fly several miles inland from their wetland habitats, searching for suitable tree cavities.

Once a suitable nesting site is found, the hen will lay a clutch of 6-16 eggs. After incubation, which lasts about a month, the ducklings hatch and are immediately led to water by their mother. Wood Duck ducklings are precocial, meaning they are born with their eyes open and are relatively self-sufficient from birth. The mother provides protection and guidance as they explore their aquatic surroundings.

Conservation and Future

The wood duck’s recovery from historical population declines is considered one of the great conservation success stories. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss in the late 19th and early 20th centuries threatened these birds. However, conservation efforts, including the establishment of nest boxes and wetland restoration projects by hunter-conservationist groups like Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl, have contributed to their population rebound.

Today, wood ducks are considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), thanks to these efforts. Their thriving populations serve as a testament to the importance of conservation and habitat restoration in preserving the natural beauty of this waterfowl species, ensuring that future generations can continue to admire the living watercolor masterpiece that is the Wood Duck.