Wood Duck

Species Details

The park symbol nests high in tree cavities or nest boxes where the one-day-old young jump to the ground and follow the female to water. A surface or shallow water feeder, the diet is mostly seeds, especially acorns. The spectacular males are adorned with elaborate facial striping, the female is a teardrop-shaped eye mark. Both have a very distinctive head shape. Calls are thin, squeaky whistles and squeals, given as they fly into the forest from sheltered coves, their preferred habitat.

Photo by Robin Conover