Spring Migration Arrival: Wood Duck

The Wood Duck is undoubtedly one of the most stunning waterfowl species gracing the ponds of Carillon Stonegate Pond during their spring migration. Known for their vibrant plumage and distinctive markings, both male and female Wood Ducks exhibit an array of colors and patterns that captivate the eye.

Identification: The Wood Duck is a striking waterfowl, especially males. They are small to medium-sized birds with boxy, crested heads and thin necks. Both males and females have white throats and rectangular tails. Their bellies are white, with white lines on the back of their wings. Males are chestnut and green with ornate patterns, transitioning to “eclipse” plumage in late summer while retaining their bright red eye and bill. Females have a distinctive profile with a white teardrop pattern around their eyes and white edges on dark blue wing patches. Wood Ducks nest in trees and have sharp, clawed feet. They average 20 inches in length, with a wingspan of 28 inches, and weigh about 24 ounces.

Male Wood Duck on sunny morning on Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Habitat at Carillon Stonegate Pond: First, any sighting will be rare. You may find Wood Ducks here periodically from late spring to late summer floating on our ponds.

Flight Patterns: Wood Ducks are comfortable flying through woods since they perch and nest in trees. Their broad tail and short, broad wings help make them maneuverable. They are strong and fast fliers and can reach speeds of 30 mph.

Female (left) and male (right) Wood Ducks.

Behavior: Wood Ducks are dabbling ducks like Mallards and the American Black Duck. They tip up their rear ends and forage underwater with their heads below the surface. They move by walking, flying, and swimming, with their heads moving back and forth while swimming. Wood Ducks do not exhibit territorial behavior. They are social animals and often gather in the evenings and migrate in small flocks.

Diet: Wood Ducks are omnivores. They eat acorns, seeds, fruits, insects, and other arthropods. Their diet includes tree seeds, wetland plants, bay grasses, and various insects like flies, butterflies, bugs, beetles, ants, wasps, bees, dragonflies, and damselflies. They also consume small invertebrates such as slugs, snails, shrimp, crabs, and caddisflies.

Residence: Wood Ducks are found from the Great Plains to the east coast of North America, extending from Nova Scotia in the north to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico in the south. In the west, their range includes British Columbia down to the Mexican border along the west coast. Wood Ducks inhabit a variety of environments, including wooded areas adjacent to lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, and other freshwater wetlands.

Male Wood Duck showing off its stunning shape and colors.

Breeding and Nesting: Wood Ducks nest primarily in tree cavities created by broken branches and rotted heartwood, usually ten feet or more above ground and near water. They cannot create their own cavities. Breeding occurs between March and April in Illinois, with pairs forming in January. Wood Ducks are unique among North American ducks for producing two broods annually. Females lay around twelve eggs, incubating them for five weeks. Ducklings leave the nest a day after hatching and are cared for by females for about five weeks, becoming capable of flight at eight to nine weeks.

Migration: Wood Ducks are medium-distance migrants. Those ducks residing in the north will migrate to the south; here in northern Illinois, Wood Ducks will start moving south in September.

Conservation Status: While near extinction in the early 1900’s, there is no concern today. Current populations of Wood Ducks are stable and estimated at over two (2) million.  Wood Ducks are listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List and do not have special status on U.S. government lists. Wood Ducks are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Male Wood Duck on Carillon Stonegate Pond this Spring.

Vocalizations: Female Wood Ducks make a loud "oo-eek, oo-eek" when disturbed and taking flight. Male Wood Ducks have a thin, rising and falling ‘zeeting’ whistle sound. Here is a link to the sounds of the Wood Duck.

Interesting Facts:

• The Wood Duck is also called the Carolina Duck, Swamp Duck, or Squealer Duck.

• Primarily due to predation, over eighty-five percent of newly hatched Wood Duck chicks die within the first two weeks after hatching.

• Near extinction in the early 1900’s, conservation efforts have resulted in Wood Duck populations exceeding 3 million in North America.

• The oldest known Wood Duck lived almost 23 years, although their lifespan averages less than 4 years.

​For more information on Wood Ducks and sources of information used in this blog (these are the sources that I am using to learn as I blog), please visit All About Birds, Audubon Society, University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web, American Bird Conservancy, and the Illinois DNR.  And the Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides a wonderful source of information for anyone interested in learning more about birds.

We all benefit from the variety of wetland, forest, and prairie environments that support diverse wildlife, plants, and insects of Carillon Stonegate Pond.

Take a hike and see what you can find – and identify!