The wood duck is often considered one of North America's most beautiful waterfowl. With its striking iridescent plumage, the male wood duck boasts a vibrant mix of greens, purples, and blues, complemented by bold white markings and red eyes.
Females are more subdued in color but equally enchanting with their delicate patterning and distinctive teardrop eye patch. These ducks prefer wooded swamps, marshes, and streams, often nesting in tree cavities near water.
Providing nest boxes in your local wetland areas can help support their populations and give you a front-row seat to their fascinating behaviors. Keep an eye out for their characteristic high-pitched calls and the sight of ducklings following their mothers.
