Oklahoma Breeding Bird Species Profile: Wood Duck

Here you are privy to the secret lives of the shy Wood Duck.

The beautiful Wood Duck is a perching duck, as can be witnessed in the video above, hence it is the only duck in its genus, Aix.

In the early twentieth century, which was common, it was thought that this unusual species was on its way to becoming extinct due to habitat loss.  As the Carolina Duck is a cavity nester, many of the large trees that it nested within were harvested for furniture, the paper industry, house building, and furniture.  Hunting also took its toll, but the Endangered Species Act hoped to curb many of the negative effects, as well as the rampant millinery trade seeking heron aigrette (plumed feathers).

                                                                  Male Wood Duck



Denizens of wooded waterways, open marshes, and mixed riparian country were large trees overhang water is a good area where the breeding species could be seen.  Oaks are helpful, as acorns are one of their favored foods.  They also like sloughs, slow moving rivers, ponds, and flood plains at depths of eighteen inches or less.  Beavers also help to create ideal habitats through the Wood Duck range.

Wood ducks have large clutches of eggs averaging fourteen, which could go slightly either way depending upon food sources.

Artificial nest boxes helped the species survive, which are shown in the video, so if anyone owns a quiet pond with the habitat indicated, you could be in possession of the gold mine that will help the species proliferate even further.  This is how to make your own nest box for your personal habitat.

This beautiful Wood Duck box by UpNorthJournal.com is a simple, step-by-step video instruction on the perfect home for ducks.  Remember to pre-drill your holes, don't use treated lumber, and don't paint the inside of the box.  If you view the podcast later for additional information, it will insure your best chances for success on how to attract these beautiful ducks for conservation purposes. Today we have healthy populations, but as is well known, any negative effects can quickly cause numbers in species to drop.  In Oklahoma, the species is not widely prevalent.


How to install your Wood Duck Nest Box.  This gives you everything you need, including what direction it should be facing at your wetland.



Maintaining your nest boxes, inspecting for repairs, and what other species might use them.