Wood Duck
Description: The wood duck is possibly the most beautiful and striking North American duck. Drakes have blue-and-white iridescent heads with pronounced sleek crests, red chests, whitish bellies, grayish sides, and red bills with a yellow ring at the base, a black tip, and a white patch on the top. Hens have a dark brown back and are mottled tan-and-gray everywhere else. Their heads have a less-pronounced crest with a white teardrop patch around the eyes and a dull gray bill with a black tip. Both drakes and hens have blue speculums and yellow legs and feet, though hens are slightly duller. Drakes are somewhat larger than hens. Average size: 15-21 inches. Average weight: 1 1/3-2 pounds.
Science: Wood ducks breed in most of the northwest and the eastern half of the United States, as well as in parts of the prairie pothole region of the US and Canada. The birds that breed in the southern areas generally don’t migrate, while the birds in the northern areas begin their migration in September and form flocks of up to a hundred birds. They breed around marshes, rivers, and ponds in heavily-wooded areas. They nest in trees using natural cavities or holes made by other animals, though they will also readily use manmade nesting boxes. The eastern birds winter in the southern United States and Mexico, while the western birds winter in wooded wetlands in California’s Sacramento Valley and the west coast of Mexico. Their favorite food is acorns from white oaks, though they also eat hickory nuts, corn, and seeds from a variety of plants. The wood duck call is a high-pitched whistle or squeal. Their population is increasing due to conservation of wooded areas and nest box programs.
Hunting: Wood ducks are prized by hunters and are one of the top ducks taken annually in the United States. They are fast and highly maneuverable and thus can often be a difficult target when hunting in wooded areas. Wood ducks are often jump shot but readily respond to wood duck decoys and whistles. Hunters often take wood ducks incidentally while hunting dabblers. The eating quality is excellent: the meat is tender and mild.
