Wood Ducks are one of the most colorful waterfowl in the world — males have iridescent green crests, white facial markings, and chestnut chests.
Day-old ducklings leap from nest cavities up to 50 ft above ground, bouncing on the leaf litter and following their mother to water.
Wood Duck populations crashed in the early 1900s due to overhunting and habitat loss; nest box programs are credited with their full recovery.
Wood Ducks use large nest boxes mounted over or near water. A box on a properly-sited pond can attract a pair.
Mount a Wood Duck box on a metal pole or post over water, or facing water at the edge — 4–6 ft above water level. Add wood shavings inside.
They feed on aquatic vegetation, acorns, and invertebrates — no feeders. Plant native oaks and water plants.
Permanent water with overhanging cover is essential.
Starlings can occupy boxes; predator guards on the pole stop raccoons.
Don't mount on a tree without a predator guard; raccoons climb readily.
A North American waterfowl of swamps and forested wetlands, with separate eastern and western populations.
Common breeder throughout the eastern half of the country, especially in bottomland hardwood swamps.
Year-round resident in suitable wetland habitat.
Resident from Florida through the Gulf Coast and into Mexico.
Northern populations winter through northeastern Mexico.
Wooded swamps, beaver ponds, river bottomlands, and forested edges of lakes. Always near standing water with overhanging trees.
Mount over or near water; 4" of wood shavings on floor — duck eggs need an insulating layer.