The wood duck is one of the most stunningly colorful waterfowl in North America. Their appearance is so striking that they are often considered the continent’s most beautiful duck species. The males, especially, are known for their dazzling array of colors and intricate patterns, while females, though less flamboyant, have their own subtle beauty.
Males boast a distinctive iridescent plumage with shades of green, blue, and purple on their heads, which sports an elegant, fan-shaped crest. Their eyes are red, and their bill is brightly patterned in colors of yellow, white, black, and red. During the breeding season, males are further adorned with a striking white patch on the throat and a chestnut breast. The female Wood Duck is more muted in color, with a gray-brown body, white belly, and a distinctive white eye ring and throat patch. Both sexes have a unique, boxy, rectangular tail and white streaks on the back of their wings, which are visible in flight.
The wood duck is a species of perching duck, which means they have strong claws that are well-adapted to grasping branches and perching on trees. This arboreal tendency is also reflected in their nesting habits, as they are one of the few duck species that nest in tree cavities. They prefer wooded wetlands, swamps, and freshwater marshes as their habitats.
Historically, the late 19th century saw a dramatic decline in wood duck populations. Excessive hunting for their meat and the demand for their feathers in the millinery trade, combined with widespread habitat loss due to logging and land conversion, pushed the Wood Duck to the brink of extinction in much of its range.
The conservation response to protect the wood duck is one of the early success stories in North American wildlife management. Legal protections were established with the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, and habitat conservation efforts were initiated.
Distribution
Bahamas
Bermuda
Canada
Cuba
Denmark
Guadeloupe
Iceland
Mexico
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Saint Pierre
Spain
St. Kitts & Nevis
Turks & Caicos
United StatesAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
