The wood duck (Aix sponsa), also known as the Carolina duck, is a partially migratory perching duck found in North America. Males are known for their striking multicolored plumage and red eyes, while females are less colorful with a white eye-ring. Both sexes have crested heads and an iridescent blue-green speculum with a white border.
Wood ducks are year-round residents in parts of the southern U.S., while northern populations migrate south for winter. They breed in wooded swamps, lakes, marshes, ponds, and creeks, often nesting in tree cavities or nesting boxes near water. They are unique among ducks for their ability to perch in trees and may produce two broods in a single season.
Females lay seven to fifteen eggs, which are incubated for about thirty days. After hatching, ducklings jump from the nest and can swim shortly thereafter. Wood ducks primarily feed by dabbling and grazing on berries, acorns, seeds, and insects, showcasing their omnivorous diet.
