Wood Duck

The Wood Duck is a medium-sized perching duck native to North America, closely associated with wooded swamps, rivers, and beaver ponds where it nests in tree cavities, unlike most ducks that nest on the ground.

Breeding males are considered among the most ornately patterned of all waterfowl, with an iridescent green and purple crested head marked by bold white stripes, a chestnut breast speckled with white, and a body showing intricate bronze, black, and white patterning.

Females are far less flashy, mottled grey-brown overall, but are still readily recognizable by a distinctive white, teardrop-shaped patch around the eye, a reliable identifying feature even without any of the male's bright colors.

Size and shape

• Distinctive crest feathers on the head, elongated and often glossy, especially in males
• Body contour feathers with unusually crisp, almost scalloped or laced-looking edges compared to most ducks

Color and pattern

• Male head feathers iridescent green and purple, marked with bold white stripes running along the crest and face
• Male breast feathers rich chestnut, marked with fine white speckling near the front edge
• Male flank feathers buffy-gold with fine black vermiculation and crisp white and black bars at the flank edge
• Female body feathers grey-brown overall, with an iridescent blue-green speculum
• Female facial feathers form a distinctive white, teardrop-shaped patch around the eye

Distinguishing from similar species

• No other North American duck shares the male's combination of iridescent crest, chestnut speckled breast, and boldly patterned flanks
• The female's white teardrop eye patch is distinctive among female dabbling and perching ducks, useful when male coloring is not present

Breeding males are extremely ornate, with an iridescent green, purple, and bronze crested head, chestnut breast speckled with white, buffy-gold flanks with black vermiculation, and a glossy dark back. Females are mottled grey-brown with a crested head, iridescent speculum, and the diagnostic white teardrop eye patch. Males undergo a pronounced eclipse molt, becoming much duller and female-like for a period after breeding, before regaining full ornate plumage. All undergo a flightless period during wing molt.

Found across much of eastern North America, with additional populations in the West, favoring wooded swamps, slow rivers, beaver ponds, and other forested wetlands with nearby tree cavities for nesting. Northern populations are migratory, moving south for winter, while populations in milder southern regions are largely resident year-round.

Feeds on seeds, aquatic vegetation, and invertebrates, foraging both in water and on land beneath trees, including mast such as acorns. Nests in natural tree cavities or nest boxes, often well away from open water, with ducklings famously jumping from the nest hole to the ground or water shortly after hatching. Voice includes a distinctive rising whistle in females, often given in flight. Its unusual tree-cavity nesting habit and crested, ornate feathers make it one of the more instantly recognizable ducks from feather material found near wooded wetlands.