The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is one of the most stunningly pretty of all waterfowl. It is also one of the most popular ornamental ducks in the world.
Appearance[]
Wood Ducks have a unique shape among ducks—a boxy, crested head, a thin neck, and a long, broad tail. In flight, they hold their head up high, sometimes bobbing it. Overall, their silhouette shows a skinny neck, long body, thick tail, and short wings. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches. They measure 18.5-21.3 inches (47-54 centimeter) in length, weight 16.0-30.4 oz (454-862 grams), and have a wingspan of 26.0-28.7 inches (66-73 centimeter). The sexual dimorphism is evident: males have a dark blue-green head with white markings, a brown chest, cream-coloured flanks, a white belly, orange bill, eyes and legs, and dark, iridescent upperparts. Females have a dark brown plumage, lighter on the underparts, a white throat, yellowish bill and legs, and a white ring around the eye, which is brown. They're also slightly smaller.
Distribution and Habitat[]
Two distinct populations exist, one on the West Coast of North America, and one of the East Coast. They migrate south in the winter. These birds live in wooded swamps, where they nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around lake margins.
Behaviour[]
Very sociable birds, Wood Ducks typically live in small groups which then form larger communities of about 200 individuals during the winter. They have no territorial instinct.
Feeding[]
They feed on grasses, seeds, small berries and insects.
Breeding[]
Wood Ducks are the only North American ducks to produce two broods a year. Pairs are formed in winter, and when the birds come back to their breeding grounds, they are ready to nest. They nest in pre-existing cavities, usually in trees, which they line with feathers and other soft material. The female lays 15-20 eggs, which hatch in about a month. The nidifugous chicks, covered in a soft brown-and-yellowish down, are able to leave the nest just one day after hatching. They jump out of the nest, which can be as high as 65 feet, or nearly 20 metres, but their bodies are so light that they don't get hurt. They then follow their mother around until they become independent.
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