Wood Duck

Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) are one of the most spectacularly beautiful ducks of North America. Both the male and female have conspicuous crests and the garish coloration of the drake contrasts with the understated elegance of the female. They are primarily dabbling (or shallow diving) ducks that prefer riparian habitats of bottomland forests, swamps, freshwater marshes and beaver ponds – particularly where open water is surrounded by at least 50-75% vegetation cover. Even though they are strong flyers (flight speed reaching 30 mph), about 30-75% of Wood Ducks are not migratory. Wood Ducks are the only North American duck that routinely has 2 broods per year. They nest in tree cavities and nesting boxes. When it is time to leave the nest, the female calls the chicks to her. Chicks may jump from great heights (one recorded jump was 290 feet with no injury). Females may also lay eggs in other Wood Duck nests and leave them to be raised by the foster parents. Generally there are 10-11 eggs in a clutch but up to 29 eggs have been observed in a clutch due to this “egg dumping” by other females.

Wood Duck Drake
Bow Pond, Victoria, British Columbia, March 2017
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Wood Duck male
Bow Pond, Victoria, British Columbia, March 14, 2017
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Wood Duck female
Bow Pond, Victoria, British Columbia, March 14, 2017
Woodduck 60I9779 534
Wood Duck male
Bow Pond, Victoria, British Columbia, March 14, 2017
Woodduck 60I0274 537
Wood Duck female and male
Bow Pond, Victoria, British Columbia, March 14, 2017
Woodduck 60I0372 538
Wood Duck female
Bow Pond, Victoria, British Columbia, March 14, 2017
Woodduck 60I9988 539
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Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011
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Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011 in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011
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Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage - Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon January 2011
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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MARCH 10 2013 Santee Lakesg
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Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck drake in breeding plumage - Santee Lakes, California - January 2011
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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March 10 2013 Santee Lake
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck Drake, Santee Lakes, California - January, 2011
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Ducks Geese Swans Oregon Spring Wood Duck
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Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck pair in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck female in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck female in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck female in breeding plumage -Lithia Park, Ashland Oregon - April 2011
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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Wood Duck juvenile on pond at UC Davis Arboretum - May 2009
Ducks Geese Swans Wood Duck
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