Wood Duck

Tips for Hatching Baby Ducklings

People who have streams or lakes on wooded sections of their property may want to start a population of wood ducks. There are many retailers that sell wood duck eggs or pairs of male and female ducks. Buying eggs can allow homeowners to hatch baby ducks and then place them in a safe location so they can populate nearby wetlands. When buying pairs of ducks, this may take a bit longer since the couple will need to find a suitable location and then lay and hatch their young.

Before buying wood duck pairs or their eggs, it is important to do some research on the companies that are offering them. This is especially true if you plan to buy wood ducks or their eggs online. Some of the things you may want to know are how long the company has been in business, where their supplies come from, and how the animals are treated. Since ducks and their eggs may sometimes expire during shipment, it is also important to know what the company’s return or refund policy is.

If you plan to buy wood ducks or eggs, it is imperative that you have all the necessary supplies before doing so. This includes an incubator and duck food for hatching new ducklings and a nesting box if you plan to keep pairs. You should also make sure you have a suitable habitat and plenty of water for your new waterfowl. With careful planning, you can begin your own wood duck population that members of your family can enjoy for generations to come.

Virginia is Pulling for the Wood Duck

The Virginia Cooperative Extension office is encouraging private land owners to help increase the population of wood ducks in this state. The agency asks people to refrain from cutting timber which is close to the shoreline or overharvesting woodlands. They also recommend homeowners put up nesting boxes for these ducks to breed in. According to the extension office, these boxes should be either placed in the water or covered with a predator guard so that snakes and raccoons cannot eat the eggs.

Virginia has realized a decline in wood ducks during the 20^th century. As more and more development took place, these birds were faced with nowhere to call home. Overdevelopment has also led to the decline of beaver populations, and this directly reflects in the number of wood ducks in Virginia. This is because beaver often gnaw trees, thereby creating a natural habitat for this waterfowl to nest in.

The Cooperative Extension Office suggests that abandoned farmlands are often potential areas for wood ducks to relocate. Once the green pastures become forested, wood ducks are likely to take up residence near farm ponds or rivers. Reforesting also leads to the increase of beaver population in certain areas, thereby making these locations even more attractive to the wood duck.

Another way Virginia has worked to preserve the population of wood ducks is to decrease the bag limit for them during hunting season. Previously, this limit was very high so hunters were often encouraged to shoot large numbers of these birds. By placing limits on this game and providing natural habitat for the wood duck, this bird is sure to be found in the state of Virginia for many generations to come.

Wood Ducks-Mississippi's Official Waterfowl

The Wood Duck is the official waterfowl of the state of Mississippi. The particular law declaring the wood duck as the state waterfowl is found in Chapter 3 of the Mississippi code which deals with official state holidays and emblems. In 1974, the Mississippi General Assembly passed Title 3, Chapter 3, Section 3-3-25 which reads as follows: “the wood duck (Aix sponsa) is hereby designated the state waterfowl of Mississippi”

One reason why Mississippi may have named the wood duck as its official waterfowl is because this bird is plentiful here. This is especially true along much of the Mississippi River. The state of Mississippi has plenty of wetlands and native hardwood forests for the duck to nest in. These wetlands also provide plenty of food for both adult and young ducks to eat.

Wood ducks also remain in Mississippi during much of the winter. This is due to the somewhat milder temperatures here when compared to more northern states. Migrating wood ducks often pass over the area when heading north in spring or further south in the fall.

Wood ducks also contribute to the economy of Mississippi. This is because they are often hunted during the migration season. As such, this activity brings in quite a few visitors from other states because it may be more difficult to hunt wood ducks in other areas. While it can be difficult to estimate how much revenue is generated in the state by wood duck hunters, researchers at Mississippi State University declare that these birds make a “significant contribution.”

Things to Consider when Hunting Wood Ducks

Hunting wood ducks takes a certain amount of skill along with perfect timing. When hunting these birds, it’s best to do so during the early morning hours and have one or two companions to help you. Choosing the right location and using certain props to help lure the ducks out of hiding can also contribute to your success. Here are a few things to consider whenever you are hunting this waterfowl:

Choose an area where wood ducks are likely to be plentiful. The best place to look for wood ducks is along rivers and creek beds that have mature trees very close to the shore. This is especially true if there are branches that hang over these waterways. Lakes and ponds with trees growing out of them are also good locations to find wood ducks.
Use decoys or bird calls to help lure wood ducks out of their nests. Wooden decoys should be placed a few yards downstream of where you plan to sit and wait for them. If some time goes by and no wood ducks appear, you can then use the bird call.
Canoes work best when hunting wood ducks, as motorized watercraft can scare these birds. Have the shooter sit in the front of the boat ready to aim at the ducks as they approach your decoy. Be prepared to engage moving targets after the first round is fired because these birds will not remain still once they hear the initial gun blast. Once you have fired a few shots, you may need to change locations because wood ducks are not likely to return to the same area again.

Wood Ducks are Amazing from Birth

One of the most amazing things about wood ducks involves when they leave their nest. Hatchlings are attended to for only a short time before they leave their birthplace. The mother wood duck covers them for a few hours to make sure they are warm and dry first. Less than 24 hours after hatching, the baby birds fall directly to the ground below, sometimes tumbling as much as 60 feet from the air without being harmed.

When the mother duck is ready for her hatchlings to leave the nest, she will descend from it first. After making sure the area is secure from predators, she will call up to her babies to let them know it’s time to come down. The fact that these babies instinctively know they are to leave the nest is quite amazing in itself. They freefall from the nest, or when using nesting boxes they fall from a hatch in the bottom of the box itself. Wood ducks do not begin to fly until they are around 8 to 10 weeks old.

The baby wood ducks come down one by one and join their mother on the ground. The family then goes directly to the nearest source of water in order to get a drink and begin looking for food. Although the baby ducklings have technically left the nest at this time, they are not yet ready to strike out on their own. The mother duck will watch over them for approximately 8 to 10 weeks in order to make sure they are strong and healthy enough to leave their parents.

State Agency Aims to Help Wood Ducks

Massachusets Department of Fish and Wildlife provides advice and resources for conservationists

The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife actively encourages residents of this state to help wood ducks. On their website, they claim that residents often ask the department for ideas on how to help wildlife. The agency often recommends that people who are interested in preserving wildlife build nest boxes for the state’s population of wood ducks.

One of the reasons why the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends building nesting boxes for wood ducks is the lack of tree cavities in many areas. Even when cavities can be located, they are often not suitable for the ducks to lay eggs in. This is either because other wildlife is already living there or the cavities themselves are not the right dimensions. Choosing a tree that is some distance away from the water is not feasible for wood ducks, as their young immediately fall from the nest and making their way to the water as soon as they are hatched.

The agency gives guidance on how to build and install nest boxes so this waterfowl can have a place to hatch their broods. They recommend putting out only a few boxes to begin with and waiting until they are inhabited before placing more. This is because female ducks often return to the same place year after year to lay their eggs. They also advise residents to protect the boxes from predators such as raccoons by placing wooden tubes in front of the entry holes and attaching them to wooden poles in areas of standing water.

Safe Haven for Wood Ducks

Alabama refuge aids with breeding and migration

The destruction of forested areas along many lakes and streams makes it challenging for wood ducks to breed. In recognition of this problem, the state of Alabama established the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge near the town of Coffeeville. According to its official website, the main reason for this refuge is to “provide wood duck brood habitat and serve as a protected wintering area for waterfowl.”

Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge encompasses more than 4200 acres, 1800 of which are water. There are several large lakes here along with Okatuppa and Turkey creeks. Much of the area along these two creeks is inaccessible to motorists or to foot traffic, which allows wood ducks to live in seclusion.

There are a number of nesting boxes in strategic locations throughout the establishment. As a result, it has become a popular place for female wood ducks to lay their eggs. In fact, Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge boasts that approximately 200 broods, or nests full of eggs, are hatched each year. Its website states that around 10,000 water fowl can be found at the refuge during the winter months, and much of this number includes the wood duck population.

While winter may be the best time to view wood ducks, they can also be spotted in summer and fall. During the spring, much of the refuge is often under water, so some parts of it may be off-limits. Those who plan to visit during this time should check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to find out the condition of the refuge

Great Lakes Region-Great for Wood Ducks

Wood ducks along with mallards and Canadian geese are plentiful along the Great Lakes area of the United States. States in this region include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Many wood ducks live not only on the Great Lakes but near marshes and woodlands close to them. They are especially populous in smaller rice lakes in the state of Minnesota.

These birds are also plentiful along the shores of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana. Although much of this area is sandy, there are a number of dunes that are covered with vegetation. Some of these sand dunes are actually wooded areas and it is here that many wood ducks choose to nest and raise their young.

Ducks unlimited is concerned about the decline of natural habitat in the Great Lakes region. This group fears that the destruction of woodlands and pollution of marshes near these magnificent wonders is leading to a decline in population among many species. While wood ducks are not considered threatened or endangered, their existence could be threatened if development continues.

Because of their concern, Ducks Unlimited is continuously performing studies on waterfowl in the Great Lakes area. Some of the things looked at include the loss of habitat, water conditions, and food supply among other things. Certain species such as ring-necked ducks, Canadian geese, and mallards are watched as they migrate through the area to help conservationists learn more about their behavior and needs as they make their annual pilgrimage south.

Winter Migration of Wood Ducks

In many areas of the western United States, wood ducks remain as permanent, year-round residents. Birds in southern Canada and the northern United States may nonetheless need to move to warmer climates when cold weather begins to set in. The pattern of migration largely depends on where the bird originates during the summer months. Tracking the migration of this water fowl can be an enjoyable experience for scientists and nature lovers alike.

Wood ducks in the New England and Great Lakes states typically follow what is known as the Atlantic Flyway when reaching their winter habitat. The Atlantic Flyway is a major migratory path for bird stretching primarily along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Birds normally fly into Georgia, with many continuing along the Gulf of Mexico into eastern Texas or northern Mexico before stopping for the season.

Birds in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or Canadian province of British Columbia generally follow the Pacific Flyway. This migratory route stretches from Alaska to northern Mexico and mostly follows the Pacific Coast of the United States and Canada. Even so, there are a few inland areas where these ducks may pass through, namely the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the Salton Sea in Colorado.

Water fowl in the Great Plains states may follow the Mississippi Flyway. This route runs along the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico. As is the case with the Atlantic and Pacific flyways, this path provides plenty of cover, food, and water for wood ducks as they make their annual pilgrimage south.

Nesting habits of the female wood duck

Understanding this bird's environment to help it survive

The wood duck ranges from southern Canada to areas throughout the United States. Found primarily in inland lakes and streams, this bird prefers waters that are near heavily wooded areas. Unfortunately, the destruction of this animal’s habitat means it can be difficult for females to nest. Providing a nesting box can be an excellent alternative in many cases.

Female wood ducks prefer to lay eggs around three to five feet high in the cavity of large branches or inside hollow trees whenever possible. Doing so protects the nest from predators such as snakes and turtles that might eat the eggs if she were to lay them near the water. In fact, this species of bird has claws inside of their webbed feet especially for climbing trees to escape from danger.

When forests are destroyed, this can sometimes leave wood ducks without a place to lay their eggs, so a nesting box might be used instead. An ideal nesting box for wood ducks is one made from plywood with a hinged lid and one to two inch round hole in the front for entry. The box should also have an escape hatch made from hardware cloth or metal screen in the bottom to allow the ducklings to exit. This device should then be hung on a wooden or metal pole around four feet high and just a few feet from the edge of the water. This will allow ducklings to find their way to the water shortly after they have flown the coop.