The Wood Duck is arguably the most beautiful waterfowl in North America — the male's iridescent green-purple crest, red eye, and intricate chestnut-and-white patterning are breathtaking. It nests in tree cavities near water, and within hours of hatching the downy ducklings leap from the nest to the ground (sometimes 60 feet below) and bounce unharmed. Nest box programs played a major role in its recovery from near-extinction by 1900.
Best time to see a Wood Duck
The best time to see a Wood Duck is March–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 81,878 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Wood Duck? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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