Wildbird
HOME Bird name:

Wood Duck

Aix sponsaOrder: ANSERIFORMESFamily: Geese and Ducks (Anatidae)

Breeding Location:

Marshes, freshwater, Swamps



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Solitary nester



Breeding Population:

Increasing



Egg Color:

Creamy white or pale buff.



Number of Eggs:

9 - 15



Incubation Days:

25 - 37



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Lined with down.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar
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Overview

Wood Duck: Small tree duck with brown back, white throat, purple-brown breast with white flecks grading to white belly; buff-yellow flanks. Crested head is green and purple with white stripes; white throat has two bars, one extends as a partial collar, the other extends behind and below eyes.

Range and Habitat

Wood Duck: Breeds across most of central and eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada and along the Pacific coast from California to British Columbia. Preferred habitats include wooded swamps and freshwater marshes.

Breeding and Nesting

Wood Duck: Nine to fifteen creamy white or pale buff eggs are laid in a tree cavity lined with down. Incubation ranges from 25 to 37 days and is carried out by the female. Young can fly at 56 to 70 days. Occasionally produces two broods per year.

Foraging and Feeding

Wood Duck: Feeds on vegetation, insects, snails, tadpoles, and salamanders; forages while swimming.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Wood Duck: Call is a thin, high, rising "jeeeeee."

Similar Species

Wood Duck: None in range.

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Copyright © 2005 WBFI Research Foundation Bird database and its related content and media is Copyright (C) 2002 - 2005 Mitch Waite Group All rights reserved.

Family Surface-feeding Duck (Anatidae)_blue
Species Aix sponsa
Length17 - 20 Inches
Wingspan29 Inches

Wood Duck

Wood Duck: Small tree duck with brown back, white throat, purple-brown breast with white flecks grading to white belly; buff-yellow flanks. Crested head is green and purple with white stripes; white throat has two bars, one extends as a partial collar, the other extends behind and below eyes.

● Song: "jeeeeee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Wood Duck: Feeds on vegetation, insects, snails, tadpoles, and salamanders; forages while swimming.

● Breeding & nesting: Wood Duck: Nine to fifteen creamy white or pale buff eggs are laid in a tree cavity lined with down. Incubation ranges from 25 to 37 days and is carried out by the female. Young can fly at 56 to 70 days. Occasionally produces two broods per year.

● Similar species: Wood Duck: None in range.

Flight Pattern

Swift direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Wood Duck Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Wood Duck: Breeds across most of central and eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada and along the Pacific coast from California to British Columbia. Preferred habitats include wooded swamps and freshwater marshes.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationIncreasing
MigrationMigratory
Weight24 Ounces