Psilos Wildfowl Photography

Carolina Woodduck

(Aix Sponsa)
Second only to the Mandarin duck this is one of the most colourful of all the wildfowl. This is a very sedate duck that seems to spend most of its time either sleeping on a shady bank or basking on a sunbaked stone. The wood duck's breeding range extends over much of the continental United States and southern Canada, with more northernly breeding birds moving south for the winter.
 
 
 
 
In the wild the Woodduck has a wide variety of habitats. They are cavity nesters and must find a nest as close to water as possible. Males are serially monogonous choosing a new mate every year. Rearing the ducklings is the sole job of the female (above) and sometimes 'egg dumping' also occurs. As a result it is not usual for one female to rear a clutch of over 15 ducklings.
Juvenile Woodducks being reared in the nursery at Martinmere
 
 
 
Female Woodducks may appear graceful in the water but are not so adept at getting in and out of their nesting boxes.
 
 
 
In the southern most breeding range of this duck the Carolina wood duck will rear two broods. After the male role is over moulting begins. During this time the male loses all his breeding plumage (photo below) For 4 weeks he is flightless and vulnerable and can be found in large groups with other males for protection. However it is not long before he has all his breeding finery back again.