Wood Duck

Wood ducks are one of Florida’s most beautiful species of duck. They possess boxy, crested heads with long, broad tails. Male wood ducks have chestnut breasts with green heads that are cut with white stripes, while females are gray-brown with white speckled breasts. The female has a distinct white coloration around her eyes, commonly referred to as “eyeliner.”

 

Both the male and female of the species are easy to identify from afar, with some practice.

In flight, wood ducks hold their heads high, sometimes bobbing them.

 

Wood ducks, as their name suggests, typically inhabit wooded, brushy, or other vegetated wetland areas. Look for them near:

 

Wooded swamps

Marshes

Streams

Beaver ponds

Small lakes

 

 

Wood ducks nest inside of cavities inside of trees. However, these cavities are not always common, and wood ducks often nest inside of artificial nesting boxes that have been provided for them. Female wood ducks tend to lay 10-11 eggs per clutch. They have a long nesting season that lasts from late January through August.

 

I found this male (Drake) in Lake Pierce, Polk County, Florida.

 

Done