Wood Duck

One of the more colorful ducks that you can find in North America is the wood duck. These ducks can be found year round in most of the eastern half of the US as well as the west coast. They inhabit rivers, lakes, ponds and other wetlands where they dabble on the surface of the water in search of seeds, fruit and insects. They are also one of the most popular game birds in North America.

Wood ducks got there name because they are one of the few ducks that nest in trees. As a cavity nester they make their nest in a hole in a tree, often those made by piliated woodpeckers, and line the cavity with down from the female. The trees are usually located next to water but if good nesting sites are scarce can be located over a mile away. Wood ducks will also use nesting boxes to build their nest. After the young wood ducks hatch, their mother calls them and they have to jump down from the nest, with out mom's help, to follow her out to the water.