Wood Duck

Aix sponsa

Wood Duck

Status

Physical 

Wood ducks can be recognized by their ornate and colorful plumage. Both males and females have strikingly colored wings, a vibrant dark blue patch and black and white patterns. Males have a black head with an iridescent green crest, white streaks, and a chestnut brown chest. Females are brown with a grey crested head and a white teardrop ring around the eyes.

Habitat

Prefers woodland waterways, swamps, slow-moving rivers, and shallow ponds. Their range spans from southern Canada to Mexico and Cuba. Northern birds migrate seasonally, but the Barnegat Bay wood ducks live here year round.

 

Feeding 

Wood ducks eat mostly seeds, from both aquatic plants and terrestrial trees and shrubs. Many eat acorns, and fly to farms to eat leftover waste grain. Young ducks eat mostly insects and other invertebrates.

Wood Duck
Image by 'DickDaniels' from theworldofbirds.org