|
|
 |
DISTRIBUTION
In Canada, the Wood
Duck nests in scattered locations in the southern parts of all provinces;
however, there is only one breeding record for Newfoundland. The
most extensive breeding ranges are in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick,
and British Columbia. This duck occurs over a much wider area in
late summer and early autumn, as a result of post-breeding dispersal.
Although most Wood Ducks migrate to the United States, a few may
spend the winter in extreme southern Ontario and southeastern British
Columbia.
The Wood Duck is much more widely distributed
in the United States, where it nests in areas east of the Mississippi
River, along the lower Missouri River into South Dakota, in eastern
Texas, along the Pacific coast, and in a few other places. It winters
mainly along the Atlantic coast from New York south, along the Gulf
coast into central Texas, to the lower Mississippi River valley
and western California. A few winter in Mexico south to Distrito
Federal. |
| |
|
|
DESCRIPTION
The male Wood Duck is very colorful. It is distinguished by a long
crest extending onto its mantle that is glossy, dark, green and
purple. It has narrow lines of white that begin above the billand
which run along each side of its crown to to the top of its crest
and similar lines from behind the eye. Other colors include violet,
chestnut, black, brown, red, orange and yellow.
The female is less colorful with a gray crested
head and a white eye-ring. Its throat and underparts are white.
Its back is gray-brown and its speculum is blue. |
| |
  |
| |
|
|
DIET
The Wood Duck is mainly an herbivore, or vegetarian,
with plant foods making up about 90% of its diet. Foods vary according
to their local availability, but duckweeds, cypress seeds, sedges,
grasses, pondweeds, and acorns are among the more important foods
throughout North America. In recent years corn has assumed a greater
importance as small groups of Wood Ducks engage in field feeding
behaviour which is similar to the behaviour of Mallards.
Ducklings require a high protein diet for
rapid growth. Invertebrates such as dragonflies, bugs, beetles,
and spiders are important foods during the first few weeks of life,
so high populations of invertebrates are essential in habitats near
nest sites. |
| |
|
|
LIFE CYCLE/SOCIAL BEHAVIORS
Wood Ducks are cavity nesters in the open
forest, preferring "rotted out" oaks, willows, and sycamores, usually
within 1/2 mile of sheltered water. In the water, they are secretive
and make good use of overhanging woody vegetation, remaining hidden
until approached closely.
A Wood Duck's day begins with the sounding
of an internal alarm clock. Before the sun rises, Wood Ducks begin
swimming around and calling out to one another. At dawn, the Wood
Ducks will leave the roost area and search for food. Even during
the summer, when there are young ducklings to be nurtured, the hen
will leave twice during the day to feed. One of the most spectacular
sites to view is when a flock of Wood Ducks returns to the roosting
area shortly after dusk. |
| |
|
|
BREEDING
Breeding occurs throughout their range with most hens breeding as
yearlings. Nesting occurs anywhere from March to July. The female
selects the nest cavity in a tree, usually 30 feet above the ground,
although nests can be found as low as 2 feet and as high as 65 feet
and are often far from water. Ten to fifteen dull white eggs are
laid. Incubation is 28 to 37 days. (Males do not help.) The hen
broods her young 24 hours before she calls them from the nest site.
They respond with peeping calls and immediately begin to spring
upward towards the nest entrance where they pause momentarily before
springing outward to the water or land, in some cases over 60 feet
below. Amazingly, they land unhurt. If on land, the clutch is immediately
led to water which may take several hours. Brood bonds began to
break up after the fifth week. Ducklings are fully feathered and
can fly at 8 to 10 weeks. |
| |
|
|
SOME INTERESTING FACTS
1. Many naturalists consider the Wood Duck,
Aix sponsa, to be the most beautiful duck in North America,
if not the world!
2. The Wood Duck's only close relative is
the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia.
3. North American naturalists have traditionally
grouped the Wood Duck with the Mallard and other common pond ducks
as "dabblers", or "dabbling ducks". However, due to some behavioral
as well as physical differences from "dabblers", ornithologists
have placed the Wood Duck among the perching ducks rather than among
the typical dabbling ducks.
4. The Wood Duck's feet are adapted for perching,
with sharp claws, as well as webbed for swimming.
5. The wings of the Wood Duck are proportionately
broader than those of other ducks, making them adept at twisting
and turning as they adroitly thread their way through branches of
trees.
6. In the early 1900’s, the Wood Duck
was on the brink of extinction. All species of ducks were hunted
and killed for food and skins. Regulations were so lax that the
ducks were hunted in both the fall and spring migratory flights.
Because of a vigorous program implemented to provide more nesting
sites, the Wood Duck's numbers are once again plentiful.
7. If the Wood Duck's nest is placed immediately
over the water, the young, the moment they are hatched, scramble
to the mouth of the hole, launch into the air with their little
wings and feet spread out, and drop into their favorite element;
but whenever their birthplace is at some distance from the water,
the mother carries them to it one by one in her bill, holding them
so as not to injure their yet tender frame.
8. The hen has a squealing alarm call and
the drake has a goldfinch-like call. 2
hens(72k) male(153k) |
|
