Library #29 · B Wetland · Wave 2

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa · Anatidae

Among the most colorful ducks in the world — a cavity-nesting stunner.

At a glance

Size: 18.5–21.3 in
Wingspan: 26–29 in
Habitat: Wooded swamps, ponds, rivers with trees
Diet: Seeds, acorns, aquatic invertebrates

Range: North America; cavity nester

Nesting: Tree cavity or nest box lined with down.

Coloring pose idea: Drake at nest-box cavity / on log over water

Hear this bird

General call / song: Female’s loud oo-eek; male’s thin rising whistle.

Mating / display: Courtship whistling and display swims in fall/winter pairs.

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Play calls on All About Birds Species overview Audubon field guide

How to know it

Male: iridescent greens/purples, white face stripes, drooping crest, red eye/bill.
Female: gray-brown with bold white teardrop eye ring.
Long square tail; nests in trees.

Behavior

Ducklings leap from the nest cavity on day one.
Uses nest boxes readily when placed near water.
Once scarce; nest boxes and hunting rules aided recovery.

Fun facts

Day-old ducklings can fall 50+ feet unharmed.
Strong claws help climb into cavities.
A favorite subject for wildlife art and decoys.

Companion page for the Birds Coloring Calendar series by R. J. D. B. Fact summaries are original educational text or short paraphrases with source links. Call playback via link to All About Birds / Cornell Lab. Re-test QR codes on a phone before final print. Not affiliated with Cornell Lab or Audubon.